Society of Professional Journalists
Improving and protecting journalism since 1909
SPJ News
Latest SPJ News | RSS
Joint operating agreement resolution adopted by SPJ
SPJ News
12/11/1995
Tweet
The Society of Professional Journalists passed the following resolution at its 1995 National Convention in St. Paul, Minn.
WHEREAS, competition among local newspapers best expresses the "marketplace of ideas" assumption underlying the First Amendment, and
WHEREAS, this competition among local newspapers promotes aggressive and enterprising coverage and a choice of voices, and
WHEREAS, the Newspaper Preservation Act allows the U.S. Attorney General to approve joint operating agreements (JOAs), and
WHEREAS, JOA newspapers in many cities have folded in the past 25 years and others appear to be teetering on the edge of extinction,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the 76th convention of the Society of Professional Journalists on the 204th anniversary of the First Amendment calls upon the Justice Department to make public immediately any proposal that would end publication of an existing JOA paper; calls upon the Justice Department to enforce the federal anti-trust laws; and calls upon the Justice Department to disclose any information gathered about JOAs, and hold public hearings where any JOA action is proposed.
Copyright © 1996-2018 Society of Professional Journalists. All Rights Reserved.
Legal | Policies
Society of Professional Journalists
Eugene S. Pulliam National Journalism Center
3909 N. Meridian St., Suite 200
Indianapolis, IN 46208
317-927-8000
Contact SPJ Headquarters
Employment Opportunities
Advertise with SPJ