Contact:
Christine Tatum, President, (303) 881-8702
Beth King, Communications Manager, (317) 927-8000, ext. 211

INDIANAPOLIS — The Society of Professional Journalists is pleased to announce that News Gems, a Web log the Society sponsors to call attention to the best of American journalism, has been named one of the 10 best blogs of 2006 by U.S. News & World Report correspondent David E. Kaplan.

News Gems is produced by Jon Marshall, an SPJ member, freelance writer and a lecturer at Northwestern University’s Medill School.

In praise of the News Gems and IRE’s Extra Extra blogs, Kaplan, U.S. News & World Report’s chief investigative correspondent wrote: “When I get depressed over the state of the U.S. news media (which is often), I turn to (these) Web sites. Here are daily looks at journalism at its best. Reminds me why I got into this biz.”

News Gems highlights excellence in journalism by featuring thorough reporting and great writing produced by an array of media. It is found at www.spj.org/blog/blogs/newsgems/. Marshall accepts ideas for publication and can be reached via e-mail at newsgems@sbcglobal.net.

“News Gems honors the many journalists around the country who are in the trenches producing excellent stories,” Marshall said. “I am grateful to David Kaplan for further increasing that recognition by including News Gems in his ‘Best Blogs of ‘06.’”

SPJ is proud to present News Gems, said Christine Tatum, SPJ’s national president and an assistant business editor at The Denver Post.

“The real thanks goes to SPJ’s members, whose generous support of this organization is used to help underwrite the costs of producing News Gems,” Tatum said. “This outstanding blog is just one more example of SPJ’s tremendous journalism advocacy.”

The Society of Professional Journalists works to improve and protect journalism. SPJ is dedicated to encouraging the free practice of journalism and stimulating high standards of ethical behavior. Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, and based in Indianapolis, SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to a well-informed public, 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 and SDX, please visit www.spj.org.

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