Contact:
Jennifer Royer, SPJ Communications Strategist, 317-361-4134, jroyer@spj.org

INDIANAPOLIS – The Society of Professional Journalists and the Radio Television Digital News Association are teaming up in June to offer a webinar featuring real-world examples of ethical decisions, using the SPJ and RTDNA Codes of Ethics as a framework for decision-making.

For attendees’ convenience, two sessions are being offered live – the first at 12:30 p.m. EDT June 2 and a second at 3:30 p.m. EDT on June 3. A recorded version of the webinar will be made available to attendees later in the week, to share with their newsrooms.

Presenter will be Kevin Benz, ethics faculty, The Kneeland Project / iMedia Strategies / former news director and past RTDNA chairman. SPJ’s Joe Radske, WISC-TV executive producer; and RTDNA's Scott Libin, senior fellow at the University of Minnesota School of Journalism and Mass Communication, will lead the discussion.

Three topics will be addressed:
• In the on-going coverage of #BlackLivesMatter and racial unrest, a look at how and why we identify race and other distinguishing characteristics and thoughts on how we might do it better (“Do no harm”).
• The increasing influence of sales on content - How to balance commercial interests and editorial integrity.
• Following the Rolling Stone / UVA story retraction, how well are we checking sources in the age of social media journalism?
Attendees can ask questions or comment using a text box alongside the webinar panel.

RTDNA and SPJ members can attend the webinar free by using a discount code in their member log-in panel. To get your code, RTDNA members sign in here, SPJ members sign in here. The cost of the webinar is $15 for non-members. Once you have your code in hand, click here to register for the webinar.

Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to a well-informed citizenry; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and protects First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press. For more information about SPJ, please visit
spj.org.

RTDNA is the world's largest professional organization devoted exclusively to electronic journalism. RTDNA represents local and network journalists in broadcasting, cable and digital media in more than 30 countries.

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