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SPJ sends Code of Ethics to Congress as finale to Ethics Week 2017


4/28/2017


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 28, 2017

Contacts:
Andrew Seaman, SPJ Ethics Committee Chair, 570-483-8555, andrew.m.seaman@andrewmseaman.com
Jennifer Royer, SPJ Communications Strategist, 317-361-4134, jroyer@spj.org

INDIANAPOLIS – About 500 Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics bookmarks are on their way to Washington, D.C., as another SPJ Ethics Week comes to a close.

SPJ National President Lynn Walsh and Ethics Committee Chair Andrew Seaman wrote a letter to every member of Congress inviting them to meet with SPJ leaders the weekend of June 24, when SPJ is in D.C. for its annual Sigma Delta Chi Awards Banquet.

"Of course, SPJ works to promote and encourage responsible journalism throughout the year. The organization also calls out irresponsible journalism when we see it,” they write in the letter. “As the standard bearers for responsible and ethical journalism, SPJ is more than willing to work with your staff to reach out to your constituents with resources, tools and experts about the press.

“SPJ wants to keep up the momentum of Ethics Week 2017 and actively engage the public in conversations about responsible journalism. As a representative of a large chunk of those people, we also want to engage in a conversation with you about this issue.”

The letter was sent as a finale to five days of special activities to celebrate ethical journalism and educate the public about what it is, where it can be found, and what everyone can do to promote and encourage more of it. Click here to see a copy of one of the letters.

The week started with the unveiling of a huge SPJ Ethics Week billboard on the Thomson Reuters building in Times Square on Monday. SPJ and its various chapters and regions hosted and participated in an Ethics Hotline Live on Facebook, a Twitter chat and other online conversations using #PressForEthics, panel discussions and other events.

“It is our hope that sending these Code of Ethics bookmarks to every congressman and congresswoman will open the door for some good conversations and eventually help create better understanding among the public, journalists and elected leaders,” said Lynn Walsh, SPJ national president.

Journalists and the public can help make Congress aware that the letters and bookmarks are coming by tweeting their senators. Click here to tweet at your senator.

For more information about journalism ethics and the SPJ Code of Ethics, click here.

SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to informing citizens; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and fights to protect First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press. Support excellent journalism and fight for your right to know. Become a member, give to the Legal Defense Fund, or give to the Sigma Delta Chi Foundation.

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