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Documentation
Resolutions
Submitted to the Excellence in Journalism Conference in New Orleans, La., for passage on September 20, 2016
1. Renaming SPJ the Society for Professional Journalism
2. Urging the University of Kentucky to comply with Kentucky public records law
3. Urging President Obama to abandon access restrictions
4. In support of enhanced protections for student journalists
5. Opposing mandatory trigger warnings
6. The right to report on political campaigns
7. Opposing censorship by wealth
8. In support of women in journalism
9. Recognizing Alistair Cookes contribution to British-American relations
10. Thanking Outgoing SPJ President Paul Fletcher
11. Thanking SPJ staff
12. Commending Mark Thomason
Resolution No. 1: Renaming SPJ the Society for Professional Journalism
Submitted by:
– Michael Koretzky, Region 3 director, 2015 Regional Director of the Year
– Mac McKerral , SPJ past president, SDX board member, Wells Key winner
– Jason Parsley, SPJs 2016 Outstanding Pro Member, SPJ Bylaws Committee member
– Gideon Grudo, SPJ FOI Committee chairman, former national board member
– Dori Zinn, SPJ Diversity Committee chairman, SPJ Florida president
– Sergy Odiduro, SPJ Louisiana president, 2011 SPJ diversity fellow
– Brandon Ballenger, SPJ Membership Committee member, SPJ Bylaws Committee member
– Michele Boyet , SPJ Resolutions Committee Member, SPJs 2010 Robert Lewis First Amendment Award winner
Resolutions committee recommendation: Neutral
Delegate action: Failed
WHEREAS the Society of Professional Journalists had nearly 10,000 members a decade ago and has fewer than 6,800 today, and the decline continues; and
WHEREAS the Societys name does not accurately reflect its current membership because many members and even some national board members are not professional journalists but avidly support professional journalism; and
WHEREAS SPJ is pushing for a new supporters membership class to bolster its numbers and budget; and
WHEREAS changing SPJs name to the Society for Professional Journalism would make more sense and help market the new membership category; and
WHEREAS the Societys name implies that SPJ defines who is and who isnt a journalist, even though SPJ delegates voted in 2013 that the Society of Professional Journalists strongly rejects any attempts to define a journalist in any way other than as someone who commits acts of journalism; and
WHEREAS other organizations strengthen their advocacy by identifying a cause instead of a profession, such as the National Organization for Women and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; and
WHEREAS a similar name would give SPJ more lobbying power with local, state, and national lawmakers who might not favor a free press; and
WHEREAS RTDNA made a much more drastic name change in 2009 for a total cost only in the hundreds of dollars, and SPJs webmaster says SPJs website can be updated in a single day;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that SPJ rename itself the Society for Professional Journalism starting as soon as the articles of incorporation, bylaws, policies and guidelines permit.
Resolution No. 2: Urging the University of Kentucky to comply with Kentucky public records law
Submitted by: Bluegrass Professional Chapter
Resolutions committee recommendation: Favorable
Delegate action: Approved
WHEREAS public institutions have a responsibility to protect the larger public interest, including constitutional principles that serve democracy, such as freedom of expression and the right of the public to receive information about the performance of those who govern in the name of the public; and
WHEREAS public institutions should respect each others roles and not engage in unnecessary controversies and costly litigation; and
WHEREAS university presidents should respect the efforts of journalists, especially those who observe the tenets of the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics, to seek the truth and report it, minimize harm, act independently and be accountable; and
WHEREAS the University of Kentucky has repeatedly refused to allow the states attorney general to conduct a confidential review of documents that are the object of open-records requests, contravening the state law that makes the attorney general the initial arbiter of open-government disputes; and
WHEREAS Dr. Eli Capilouto, president of the University of Kentucky, accused the independent student newspaper, the Kentucky Kernel, of publishing salacious details to attract readers to a story about the universitys handling of a sexual-assault case involving a tenured professor; and
WHEREAS all 15 full-time faculty members of the UK School of Journalism and Media told Capilouto in a letter that his accusation was false and an insult to Kernel Editor Marjorie Kirk and her teachers; and
WHEREAS the university is also suing the Lexington Herald-Leader because of an open-meeting ruling of the attorney general; and
WHEREAS such attacks from high-ranking public officials can weaken the news media, the openness that state laws require, and journalists ability to perform the service envisioned in the First Amendment, thus undermining democracy.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Society of Professional Journalists, meeting in convention in New Orleans, La., calls on the University of Kentucky to obey the sunshine laws of the state, to respect journalists and their mission to inform people and serve as a watchdog on government, to stop spending public dollars on lawsuits against the media and to apologize to the Kentucky Kernel and Editor Marjorie Kirk.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be delivered to Dr. Eli Capilouto and each member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Kentucky.
Resolution No. 3: Urging President Obama to abandon access restrictions
Submitted by: Washington, D.C., Pro Chapter
Resolutions committee recommendation: Favorable
Delegate action: Approved
WHEREAS in August 2015 the Society of Professional Journalists led 53 journalism and other open-government organizations in asking President Barack Obama to change policies that constrict information flow; and
WHEREAS these policies and tactics include prohibiting journalists from communicating with agency staff and forbidding agency staff to speak to journalists without going through public information offices, vetting and monitoring interviews, and using on background briefings that block reporters from identifying the speakers for information that should be public; and
WHEREAS these controls threaten the legitimacy of our democracy; and
WHEREAS SPJ, the Society of Environmental Journalists and the American Society of News Editors sent a delegation representing those 53 groups to the White House in December 2015 to meet with White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest on these issues and ask for an answer from President Obama; and
WHEREAS to date there has been no answer from the White House on the organizations concerns; and
WHEREAS on August 30, 2016, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest wrote in a letter to the New York Times: If journalists dont acknowledge steps that the Obama administration has taken to strengthen transparency, then who will? Leading the fight for government transparency means confronting politicians who face intense political pressure on narrow, short-term interests and pressing them to prioritize transparency, too, even when its politically inconvenient especially when its politically inconvenient.; and
WHEREAS although President Obama vowed to have the most transparent administration in history, in fact his is one of only three administrations that have used these controls to anywhere near the extent they are used today; and
WHEREAS many journalists have seen these restrictions and outright blockages grow more intense and bolder during this administration; and
WHEREAS presidential candidates from both parties have illustrated an alarming lack of transparency, including Hillary Clintons use of a private email server and nine-month span without a press conference, and Donald Trumps continued refusal to release his taxes and past use of a pseudonym to act as his own spokesman; and
WHEREAS the controls on the press exhibited in the current presidential campaign are extremely concerning; and
WHEREAS we have seen these controls become increasingly more entrenched; and
WHEREAS no one can know how they will be used in the future;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Society of Professional Journalists meeting in convention in New Orleans, Louisiana, in September 2016, asks that President Obama address the serious concerns expressed by these 53 groups representing thousands of journalists and others.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Society urges President Barack Obama to take action so that he will not leave these extraordinarily serious restrictions in place as he leaves the presidency.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that on behalf of journalists everywhere, the Society encourages the next president of United States to quickly stop the use of restrictions that hinder the medias role in informing citizens about the actions and policies of their government.
Resolution No. 4: In support of enhanced protections for student journalists
Submitted by: Resolutions committee
Resolutions committee recommendation: Favorable
Delegate action: Approved
WHEREAS one significant role in education is to nurture and develop students as
inquisitive and participatory citizens in a democracy; and
WHEREAS the freedom of student media to inform the community about issues of public concern is compromised when educational institutions censor, including by such indirect means as the revocation of financial support, the removal of supportive faculty advisers, or threats of disciplinary consequences against student editors; and
WHEREAS the student media is confronting aggressive hostility from college administrators intent on withholding unflattering information, exemplified by the University of Kentuckys near-unprecedented decision to initiate a lawsuit against its own student newspaper in an attempt to conceal records reflecting the universitys disposition of harassment and sexual battery accusations against a professor; and
WHEREAS a growing body of research documents that young people are receiving inadequate training during their K-12 and college years both in understanding the process of government policymaking and in formulating fact-based political arguments respectful of the existence of differing views, a skill set that journalism education conveys with unique effectiveness when practiced in a supportive environment; and
WHEREAS recent survey data compiled by University of Kansas researchers documents that the impact of school censorship falls most heavily upon girls, who as a consequence of the disempowering climate in schools report that they have self-censored their own journalism at rates twice that of teen boys; and
WHEREAS a parallel study by University of Kansas journalism professors documented that high school students whose schools respect and practice First Amendment freedoms graduate with a heightened sense of civic efficacy, as measured by their belief that they can use their words to effect positive social change; and
WHEREAS federal law has proven inadequate to remedy the abuses of press freedoms in schools and colleges, as evidenced by adverse judicial rulings in First Amendment cases brought on behalf of college journalism advisers removed from their positions by administrators at Northern Michigan University and Muscatine (Iowa) Community College; and
WHEREAS state statutes can and do provide effective protection for the independence of student journalism in 10 states, with reform movements taking shape in nearly 20 other states, as part of the New Voices movement that began with the enactment of the John Wall New Voices of North Dakota Act in 2015.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Society of Professional Journalists, meeting in convention at New Orleans, Louisiana, commends the organizers of the New Voices movements in Illinois and Maryland and their legislative sponsors, whose dedicated efforts led to the successful enactment of laws protecting student journalism in their states during 2016.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Society of Professional Journalists urges state legislators and the leaders of K-12 and higher education institutions nationally to unite in supporting New Voices reforms in every state, protecting the ability of college and high school journalists and journalism educators to learn and practice the best principles of public-service journalism without fear of reprisal.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, regardless of the existence of statutory protections, the Society of Professional Journalists calls upon the nations institutions of higher education, both public and private, to honor their oft-stated commitment to civic engagement by supporting including, where necessary, financially meaningful opportunities for students to participate in journalism with the assurance of full freedom to cover news of importance to the campus community.
Resolution No. 5: Opposing mandatory trigger warnings
Submitted by: SPJ Education Committee
Resolutions committee recommendation: Favorable
Delegate action: Tabled
WHEREAS colleges and universities have begun requiring faculty to issue trigger warnings notices in advance about class content that might be disturbing and/or re-traumatizing; and
WHEREAS the roots of the academy are planted in the soil of free thinking and the value of all ideas; and
WHEREAS the U.S. Constitution embraces that philosophy by acknowledging the value of the Marketplace of Ideas; and
WHEREAS in academic settings designed to foster free and open discussion, such warnings can stifle an open forum for ideas and debate; and
WHEREAS any restrictions on speech and expression should be very narrowly tailored and mandatory guidelines often are overly broad, content based and target individuals and/or groups; and
WHEREAS teachers best understand their classroom environments and are best equipped to address content within them;
THEREFORE be it resolved that the Society of Professional Journalists, meeting in convention in New Orleans, La., opposes mandatory trigger warning requirements at our nations colleges and universities.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that so-called trigger warnings be left up to the discretion of individual faculty.
Resolution No. 6: The right to report on political campaigns
Submitted by: Sonny Albarado, FOI Committee member
Resolutions committee recommendation: Favorable
Delegate action: Approved
WHEREAS journalists covering a political campaign perform an important public service by providing information to Americans seeking to determine our next leaders; and
WHEREAS journalists must be free to do their jobs without fear of reprisal, intimidation and threat of physical harm or threats to loosen libel laws; and
WHEREAS candidates for the office of president of the United States and all other offices local, state and national must understand and respect the role of a free press and its constitutional protections; and
WHEREAS, candidates must expect to be asked uncomfortable questions and receive tough but fair coverage; and
WHEREAS journalists ask questions on behalf of all Americans, who have the right to know the policies, positions and background of any person seeking to hold public office and the trust of the American voter; and
WHEREAS it is shameful for a candidate to disown the principles of the First Amendment simply because he or she does not like the coverage of an individual journalist or news outlet; and
WHEREAS the Society of Professional Journalists strongly supports the numerous journalists and news outlets that have been blocked, bullied and harassed during this election season.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Society of Professional Journalists, meeting in convention in New Orleans, La., condemns the actions of all presidential candidates who block access to any journalist by revoking their credentials to cover campaign events in public venues.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Society rejects any political candidates attempts to harass, bully or otherwise intimidate journalists assigned to cover their campaigns.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Society urges all political candidates, especially presidential candidates, to conduct their campaigns in a transparent manner and with utmost respect for the role of journalists in informing the citizens of a democratic society about those who seek elective office.
Resolution No. 7: Opposing censorship by wealth
Submitted by: SPJ Ethics Committee
Resolutions committee recommendation: Favorable
Delegate action: Approved
WHEREAS the Society of Professional Journalists is tasked with improving and protecting journalism; and
WHEREAS the Society maintains the most respected Code of Ethics in the profession of journalism; and
WHEREAS the Society believes that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy; and
WHEREAS local news organizations serve as the backbone of a community by keeping citizens informed and holding locally elected officials and powerbrokers accountable; and
WHEREAS Sheldon Adelson and his family as News + Media Capital Group LLC purchased the Las Vegas Review-Journal in late 2015; and
WHEREAS the Adelsons attempted to remain anonymous as owners; and
WHEREAS the editorial independence of the Las Vegas Review-Journal has been compromised on a number of occasions, such as when Jon Ralston reported the papers journalists were told to ask for candidates opinions on public funding for a stadium proposed by Mr. Adelson even though the answers were not to be printed; and
WHEREAS the Societys Code of Ethics says ethical journalists should deny favored treatment to advertisers, donors or any other special interests, and resist internal and external pressure to influence coverage.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Society of Professional Journalists, meeting in convention in New Orleans, La., condemns the manipulation of news outlets for personal gain by wealthy media owners everywhere.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Society condemns those worldwide who use their riches to silence media with whom they disagree rather than support responsible and ethical journalism that competes in the marketplace of ideas.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Society will defend democracy by forcefully speaking out against any person or group using money to manipulate or silence the media.
Resolution No. 8: In support of women in journalism
Submitted by:
– Alex Veeneman, SPJ Community Coordinator
– Elle Toussi, Co-Chair, SPJ International Community
– Dan Kubiske, Co-Chair, SPJ International Community
– Joanne Lisosky, Professor and Advisor, SPJ chapter, Pacific Lutheran University
– Claudia Amezcua, Chair, SPJ Generation J Community
– Sharon Dunten, Assistant Regional Director, Region 3, SPJ Georgia Pro Chapter
– SPJ Connecticut Pro Chapter
Resolutions committee recommendation: Favorable
Delegate action: Approved
WHEREAS a study from the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the University of Oxford in the UK noted that more women are studying journalism at colleges and universities in the United States, as well as other countries; and
WHEREAS the journalism industry is still male-dominated; and
WHEREAS Recent reporting and research from the The Wall Street Journal, citing data from the US Census bureau, indicated that women in journalism are paid 86 percent of their male counterparts; and
WHEREAS A resolution calling for the elimination of race and gender pay gaps in the media was signed, dated April 9, 2016, by the Asian American Journalists Association, the Native American Journalists Association, the National Association of Black Journalists, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association, UNITY: Journalists for Diversity, and the Journalism and Women Symposium; and
WHEREAS The Wall Street Journals editor-in-chief, Gerard Baker, has called for the elimination of gender pay gaps within the newspaper, supported by its parent Dow Jones and Company; and
WHEREAS The BBC has said that half of its on-air roles, as well as its workforce, will be women by 2020; and
WHEREAS Women have made significant contributions to the journalism profession and are quintessential to the foundation of its future, especially in the digital age, as well as to the operations and interests of the Society.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Society of Professional Journalists, meeting in convention in New Orleans, Louisiana, recognizes the contributions made by its female members from all chapters as well as women in journalism.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Society supports the resolution of April 9, 2016, signed by the aforementioned journalism support organizations.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Society will make this issue a priority in conjunction with our partners in these organizations and other media organizations, and will work collaboratively as well as an individual organization to address the issue.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Society calls upon resources to be made available to female journalists, including those currently enrolled in postsecondary education, including but not limited to mentoring and networking opportunities.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Society will continue to promote women in journalism and media through programs and outreach efforts on a regional and national level.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Society welcomes the review by The Wall Street Journal of pay gaps and the BBCs commitment to gender equality in its workforce.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Society calls upon other media organizations, irrespective of medium, to follow their lead to ensure gender equality in the industry, and to address the elimination of inequality.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Society subscribes to the idea that it is 2016 and that gender should not be a barrier when it comes to pursuing work in this profession.
Resolution No. 9: Recognizing Alistair Cookes contribution to British-American relations
Submitted by: Alex Veeneman, SPJ Community Coordinator
Resolutions committee recommendation: Favorable
Delegate action: Approved
WHEREAS Alistair Cooke was born on November 20, 1908, in Salford, Greater Manchester, in the Northwest of England, United Kingdom; and
WHEREAS Mr. Cooke is a graduate of Jesus College, University of Cambridge; and
WHEREAS Mr. Cooke joined the BBC in 1934 as a film critic; and
WHEREAS Mr. Cooke simultaneously served as the London correspondent for NBC News from 1936-1937, reporting on life in Britain for American audiences; and
WHEREAS Mr. Cooke immigrated to the United States in 1937; and
WHEREAS Mr. Cooke began the Letter from America radio program in March 1946 for the BBC World Service, reporting on American culture and politics; and
WHEREAS Mr. Cookes idea for Letter from America derived from a desire to help bring the United States and the United Kingdom closer together in understanding and affection; and
WHEREAS Letter from America was broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in the UK; and
WHEREAS Mr. Cooke simultaneously served as a special correspondent for The Times of London on US affairs from 1938 to 1942; and
WHEREAS Mr. Cooke simultaneously served as the chief US correspondent for The Guardian newspaper from 1948 to 1972; and
WHEREAS Mr. Cooke presented the PBS program Masterpiece Theatre from 1971 to 1992, devoted exclusively to British drama and adaptations of works by British authors; and
WHEREAS Mr. Cooke presented Letter from America for the BBC until February 2004; and
WHEREAS Mr. Cooke died on March 30, 2004, in New York City; and
WHEREAS Mr. Cookes papers, including manuscripts for Letter from America, and other items are maintained at the Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center at Boston University; and
WHEREAS Mr. Cooke made an exceptional contribution to journalism and the fields that the Society of Professional Journalists advocates; and
WHEREAS Mr. Cooke contributed greatly to the improvement of the cultural and political relations between the United States and the United Kingdom.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Society of Professional Journalists, meeting in convention in New Orleans, Louisiana, recognize the contributions to journalism made by Mr. Cooke on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the first broadcast of Letter from America.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Society commemorates the legacy of Mr. Cooke and his contributions to American journalism and British journalism.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Society recognizes the work of journalists, in the US and abroad, who, like Mr. Cooke, bring the world closer together in understanding and affection.
Resolution No. 10: Thanking Outgoing SPJ President Paul Fletcher
Submitted by: Resolutions Committee
Resolutions committee recommendation: Favorable
Delegate action: Approved
WHEREAS during the past year, President Paul Fletcher has represented the Society of Professional Journalists with integrity, professionalism, and passion; and
WHEREAS President Fletcher has spread the gospel of SPJ from Fort Worth, Texas, to New York City, Washington, D.C., Arizona, Cincinnati, Richmond and Norfolk Virginia, Seattle; and
WHEREAS President Fletcher contributed to the financial well-being of wineries in many of those same locations on those same trips; and
WHEREAS President Fletcher led a coalition of Journalism organizations at a meeting in the White House with President Obama's press secretary Josh Earnest; and
WHEREAS at said meeting, President Fletcher relayed complaints about Administration practices that hamper transparency in government; and
WHEREAS when the White House failed to follow through on promises made at that meeting, President Fletcher took the Administration to task in a letter published in the New York Times; and
WHEREAS none of several past SPJ presidents can remember having any of their writings published in the New York Times; and
WHEREAS President Fletcher advanced a proposal to give delegate voting rights to 41% of SPJ members unaffiliated with any chapter; and
WHEREAS President Fletcher led a barely 60-minute open board meeting, one of the shortest open board meetings in anyone's memory.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Society of Professional Journalists, meeting in convention in New Orleans, La., praises and thanks President Fletcher for his service to SPJ.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we hope our gratitude will ease the pain of an O and 2 start by his beloved Miami Dolphins, who were pummeled Sept. 18 by the Tom Brady-less New England Patriots.
Resolution No. 11: Thanking SPJ staff
Submitted by: SPJ Resolutions Committee
Resolutions committee recommendation: Favorable
Delegate action: Approved
WHEREAS the headquarters staff of the Society of Professional Journalists makes it possible for SPJ to provide strong professional development programs, defend the publics right to know through First Amendment advocacy, and guide journalists to act ethically; and
WHEREAS the staff created a superlative national journalism conference in collaboration with the Radio Television Digital News Association and Native American Journalists Association; and
WHEREAS the stupendous display of talent, truth and energy of Excellence in Journalism 2016 would not be possible without the SPJ staffs deep knowledge, tireless energy, two-way radios, running shoes and Twitter #hashtags; and
WHEREAS the SPJ staff continues to expand the technical capabilities of SPJ in exciting new ways, such as the new Q-code event tickets; and
WHEREAS the SPJ staffs high level of professionalism, skill, ingenuity, nimbleness, and ability to keep the EIJ16 events running smoothly on very little sleep.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Society of Professional Journalists, meeting in convention in New Orleans, Louisiana, thanks the SPJ staff for all its work and gives the staff a hearty round of applause for its work on Excellence in Journalism 2016.
Resolution No. 12: Commending Mark Thomason
Submitted by: FOI Committee
Resolutions committee recommendation: None
Delegate action: Approved
WHEREAS no reporter should ever be arrested for filing an open records request; and
WHEREAS Mark Thomason, publisher of the Fannin Focus in Blue Ridge, Georgia, was charged with three felonies, including one for making a false statement on his open records request; and
WHEREAS the arrest was clearly retaliatory and in reaction to articles he had published about Superior Court Judge Brenda Weaver; and
WHEREAS Thomason was jailed for 48 hours and then subjected to onerous bond restrictions; and
WHEREAS the charges were dropped only after numerous public statements by the Georgia chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists; and
WHEREAS SPJ Georgia has also called upon Judge Weaver to resign and has files an official complaint against her with the state Judicial Qualifications Commission.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Society of Professional Journalists, meeting in convention in New Orleans, La., also calls on Judge Weaver to resign.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Society commends Mark Thomason for his relentless pursuit of the publics right to know.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Society also commends the Georgia Pro Chapter for standing up for working journalists.