For Immediate Release
4/20/09

Contact:
Dave Aeikens, SPJ President, (320) 255-8744,
daeikens@stcloud.gannett.com
Scott Leadingham, SPJ Communications Coordinator, (317) 927-8000 ext. 211, sleadingham@spj.org

INDIANAPOLIS – Recognizing the hardships faced by many in the journalism industry, the Society of Professional Journalists today announced it will extend benefits for laid-off members.

The SPJ board of directors, meeting over the weekend while celebrating the organization’s 100th anniversary, voted to extend by six months the annual membership of any current member who has lost his or her full-time job. SPJ membership typically lasts for one year. Those taking advantage of the benefit will have their membership fee waived for an additional six months past their normal renewal date.

“As the largest and most broad-based journalism association, we knew it was time for this,” said SPJ President Dave Aeikens. “Our members are the lifeblood of SPJ. And many of them are hurting right now. If they’re in need, we want to help any way we can.”

The details of the benefit and how members can take advantage of it will be finalized in the coming days. More information will be available soon on the SPJ Web site, www.spj.org.

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 www.spj.org.

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