Society of Professional Journalists

File:Spj logo.jpg

SPJ logo, taken from a cropped photo of a sign at the Region 10 SPJ Conference, March 2006

The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) is one of the oldest organizations representing journalists in the United States, debuting in 1909.

Its stated mission is to promote and defend the First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and freedom of the press; encourage high standards and ethical behavior in the practice of journalism; and promote and support diversity in journalism.

SPJ has nearly 300 chapters across the United States that bring educational programming to local areas and offer regular contact with other media professionals.

SPJ initiatives include a Legal Defense Fund that wages court battles to secure First Amendment rights; the Project Sunshine campaign to improve the ability of journalists and the public to obtain access to government records; the magazine Quill; and the annual Sigma Delta Chi Awards, which honour excellence in journalism.

It has also drawn up a Code of Ethics [1] that aims to ensure that journalists perform their work while adhering to the highest standards of behavior and decision-making.

SPJ is a member of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX), a global network of non-governmental organisations that monitors free expression violations worldwide and campaigns to defend journalists, writers, human rights activists and Internet users who are persecuted for exercising their right to freedom of expression.

The organization helped foster the creation of The American Reporter, the first electronic internet-only newspaper.

Fast Facts[2]

Who: Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ)

Missions: "To perpetuate free press as the cornerstone of our nation and our liberty; to ensure that the concept of self-government outlined by the U.S. Constitution remains a reality into future centuries" [3]

Staff size: 12[4]

Membership: Around 10,000 journalists working in all media[5]

Key issues: Freedom of information, diversity, ethics

Headquarters: Indianapolis, Indiana

Founded: 1909

External links

• SPJ's Website