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{{Short description|Association for journalists in the US}}
{{redirect-multi|3|SPJ|Sigma Delta Chi|Quill (magazine)|other uses of "SPJ"|SPJ (disambiguation)|the Sigma Delta Chi sorority|Sigma Delta Chi (sorority)|other uses of "quill"|Quill (disambiguation)}}
{{redirect-multi|3|SPJ|Sigma Delta Chi|Quill (magazine)|other uses of "SPJ"|SPJ (disambiguation)|the Sigma Delta Chi sorority|Sigma Delta Chi (sorority)|other uses of "quill"|Quill (disambiguation)}}

{{Infobox organization
{{Infobox organization
|name = Society of Professional Journalists
|name = Society of Professional Journalists
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|website = {{URL|https://www.spj.org/}}
|website = {{URL|https://www.spj.org/}}
}}
}}
The '''Society of Professional Journalists''' ('''SPJ'''), formerly known as '''Sigma Delta Chi''', is the oldest organization representing [[journalist]]s in the [[United States]]. It was established on April 17, 1909, at [[DePauw University]],<ref>{{cite book| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=B5OfAAAAMAAJ| title=The Sigma Delta Chi Story (1909-1949)| author=Glenn, William Meharry| year=1949| accessdate=August 21, 2010}}</ref><ref name="09annual">2009 SPJ Annual Report, letter from the presidents</ref> and its charter was designed by William Meharry Glenn.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://indianajournalismhof.org/1985/01/william-meharry-glenn/| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726174413/http://indianajournalismhof.org/1985/01/william-meharry-glenn/| url-status=dead| archive-date=July 26, 2011| title=William Meharry Glenn| publisher=Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame| accessdate=August 21, 2010}}</ref><ref name=PIC50/>


The '''Society of Professional Journalists''' ('''SPJ'''), formerly known as '''Sigma Delta Chi''', is the oldest organization representing [[journalist]]s in the [[United States]]. It was established on April 17, 1909, at [[DePauw University]],<ref>{{cite book| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=B5OfAAAAMAAJ| title=The Sigma Delta Chi Story (1909-1949)| author=Glenn, William Meharry| year=1949| access-date=August 21, 2010}}</ref><ref name="09annual">2009 SPJ Annual Report, letter from the presidents</ref> and its charter was designed by William Meharry Glenn.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://indianajournalismhof.org/1985/01/william-meharry-glenn/| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726174413/http://indianajournalismhof.org/1985/01/william-meharry-glenn/| url-status=dead| archive-date=July 26, 2011| title=William Meharry Glenn| publisher=Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame| access-date=August 21, 2010}}</ref><ref name=PIC50/>
==Overview==
The stated mission of SPJ is to promote and defend the [[First Amendment to the United States Constitution|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 [[Multiculturalism|diversity]] in journalism.<ref name="mission">[http://www.spj.org/mission.asp Society of Professional Journalists - "Our Mission"]</ref>


[[File:The_crest_of_Sigma_Delta_Chi.png|thumb|The original logo of {{lang|grc|ΣΔΧ}}; the pin was similar.]]
SPJ has nearly 300 chapters across the United States that bring educational programming to local areas and offer regular contact with other media professionals. Its membership base is more than 6,000 members of the media.


== History ==
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 [[Freedom of information legislation|access to government records]]; the magazine ''Quill''; and the annual [[Sigma Delta Chi Award]]s, which honour excellence in journalism.
The Society of Professional Journalists was established on April 17, 1909, as a men's [[professional fraternity]] named '''Sigma Delta Chi'''. Its ten founding members were:<ref name=":0">{{cite web |title=Sigma Delta Chi, Honorary Journalism Fraternity, Founded at DePauw |url=http://www.depauw.edu/news/index.asp?id=16880 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610202426/http://www.depauw.edu/news/index.asp?id=16880 |archive-date=June 10, 2011 |access-date=August 21, 2010 |publisher=DePauw University}}</ref>
{{columns-list|colwidth=15em|
* Gilbert C. Clippinger
* Charles A. Fisher
* William M. Glenn
* H. Hedges
* L. Aldis Hutchens
* Edward H. Lockwood
* LeRoy H. Millikan
* [[Eugene C. Pulliam]]
* Paul M. Riddick
* Lawrence H. Sloan.
}}
The organization continued to function as a fraternity until 1960 when it became a professional society. At the 1969 San Diego convention, Sigma Delta Chi decided to begin admitting women into the society. In 1973, the society changed its name to Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi. In 1988, the present '''Society of Professional Journalists''' name was adopted.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spj.org/quill_issue.asp?ref=1481|title=Join us in celebrating 100 years of SPJ at DePauw University in April|first=Dave|last= Aeikens|magazine=Quill|date=March 3, 2009 }}</ref>


The stated mission of SPJ is to promote and defend the [[First Amendment to the United States Constitution|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 [[Multiculturalism|diversity]] in journalism.<ref name="mission">[http://www.spj.org/mission.asp Society of Professional Journalists - "Our Mission"]</ref>
It has also drawn up a [[Code of ethics in media|Code of Ethics]] that aims to inspire journalists to adhere to high standards of behavior and decision-making while performing their work.


It has also drawn up a [[Code of ethics in media|Code of Ethics]] that aims to inspire journalists to adhere to high standards of behavior and decision-making while performing their work.<ref>{{cite web |title=SPJ Code of Ethics |url=http://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp |access-date=November 23, 2015 |website=Society of Professional journalists}}</ref>
Members of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) claim to have a strong belief that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. The journalists claim to work to ensure that the free exchange of information is accurate, fair and thorough.<ref>{{cite web|title=SPJ Code of Ethics|url=http://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp|website=Society of Professional journalists|accessdate= November 23, 2015}}</ref> The SPJ’s code of ethics states that journalists should "seek truth and report it" and that "journalists should be honest, fair, and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information." The society declares the following four principles as the foundation of ethical journalism;<ref>{{cite book|last1=McIntosh|first1=Shawn|last2=Pavlik|first2=John V.|title=Converging media : a new introduction to mass communication|date=2015|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=Oxford|isbn=9780199342303|edition=Fourth }}</ref>


== Chapters ==
# Seek truth and report it: Ethical Journalism should be accurate and fair. Ethical journalists should be honest and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information.
SPJ has nearly 300 chapters across the United States.
# Minimize harm: Ethical journalism treats sources, subjects, colleagues and members of the public as human beings deserving of respect.
# Act independently: The highest and primary obligation of ethical journalism is to serve the public.
# Be accountable: Ethical journalism means taking responsibility for one’s work and explaining one’s decisions to the public.<ref>{{cite web|title=Code of Ethics pdf|url=https://www.spj.org/pdf/ethicscode.pdf|website=PDF file|accessdate= November 23, 2015}}</ref>


== Membership ==
The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) encourage the use of these principles in its practice by all people in all media.
Its membership base is more than 6,000 members of the media.


==History==
== Activities ==
The society's chapters 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 [[Freedom of information legislation|access to government records]]; the magazine ''Quill''; and the annual [[Sigma Delta Chi Award]]s, which honour excellence in journalism.
The Society of Professional Journalists was established on April 17, 1909, as a men's [[professional fraternity]] named "Sigma Delta Chi", the ten founding members of which were Gilbert C. Clippinger, Charles A. Fisher, William M. Glenn, H. Hedges, L. Aldis Hutchens, Edward H. Lockwood, LeRoy H. Millikan, [[Eugene C. Pulliam]], Paul M. Riddick, and Lawrence H. Sloan.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.depauw.edu/news/index.asp?id=16880| title=Sigma Delta Chi, Honorary Journalism Fraternity, Founded at DePauw| publisher=DePauw University| accessdate=August 21, 2010}}</ref> The organization continued to function as a fraternity until 1960, when it became a professional society. At the 1969 San Diego convention, Sigma Delta Chi made the decision to begin admitting women into the society. In 1973, the society changed its name to "Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi". Finally, in 1988 "Sigma Delta Chi" was dropped from the name altogether and the present "Society of Professional Journalists" name was officially adopted.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spj.org/quill_issue.asp?ref=1481|title=Join us in celebrating 100 years of SPJ at DePauw University in April|first=Dave|last= Aeikens|magazine=Quill|date=March 3, 2009 }}</ref>


==Budget==
== Awards ==
In 2009, The Society of Professional Journalists had revenue of $1.4 million. It spent $1.6 million.<ref name="2009 SPJ annual report, page 10">2009 SPJ Annual Report, page 10.</ref>
The same year, the Sigma Delta Chi Foundation had a revenue of $934,731 and expenditures of $766,690.<ref name="2009 SPJ annual report, page 10"/>

Sigma Delta Chi received $312,500 in grants in 2009.<ref>2009 SPJ Annual Report, page 6.</ref>

==Eugene S. Pulliam First Amendment Award==


=== Eugene S. Pulliam First Amendment Award ===
The Eugene S. Pulliam First Amendment Award is awarded annually by the Society of Professional Journalists in honor of publisher [[Eugene S. Pulliam]]'s dedication to [[First Amendment to the United States Constitution|First Amendment]] rights and values. The award seeks "to honor a person or persons who have fought to protect and preserve one or more of the rights guaranteed by the First Amendment."<ref>''SPJ.org'' "Eugene S. Pulliam First Amendment Award"</ref>
The Eugene S. Pulliam First Amendment Award is awarded annually by the Society of Professional Journalists in honor of publisher [[Eugene S. Pulliam]]'s dedication to [[First Amendment to the United States Constitution|First Amendment]] rights and values. The award seeks "to honor a person or persons who have fought to protect and preserve one or more of the rights guaranteed by the First Amendment."<ref>''SPJ.org'' "Eugene S. Pulliam First Amendment Award"</ref>


{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
!Year
!Recipient
!References
|-
| 2020
| ''[[The Post and Courier]]''
|
|-
|-
| 2019
| 2019
| Spotlight Team, ''[[Boston Globe]]''
| Spotlight Team, ''[[Boston Globe]]''
|
|-
|-
| 2018
| 2018
| ''[[Kansas City Star]]''
| ''[[Kansas City Star]]''
|
|-
|-
| 2017
| 2017
| ''[[Better Government Association]]''
| ''[[Better Government Association]]''
|
|-
|-
| 2015
| 2015
| ''[[The Columbus Dispatch]]'' and the [[Student Press Law Center]]
| ''[[The Columbus Dispatch]]'' and the [[Student Press Law Center]]
|
|-
|-
| 2014
| 2014
| [[Associated Press]]
| [[Associated Press]]
|
|-
|-
| 2013
| 2013
| Gina Barton, John Diedrich and Ben Poston, ''[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]]''
| Gina Barton, John Diedrich and Ben Poston, ''[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]]''
|
|-
|-
| 2012
| 2012
| [[Carol Marbin Miller]], ''[[Miami Herald]]''
| [[Carol Marbin Miller]], ''[[Miami Herald]]''
|
|-
|-
| 2011
| 2011
| Associated Press
| Associated Press
|
|-
|-
| 2010
| 2010
| Renee Dudley, ''[[The Island Packet]]'' of Bluffton, S.C.<ref>"Reporter Dudley wins award" October 7, * 2010 ''The Post and Courier'' retrieved November 8, * 2015</ref>
| Renee Dudley, ''[[The Island Packet]]'' of Bluffton, S.C.
|<ref>"Reporter Dudley wins award" October 7, * 2010 ''The Post and Courier'' retrieved November 8, * 2015</ref>
|-
|-
| 2009
| 2009
| Jill Riepenhoff and Todd Jones, ''The Columbus Dispatch''
| Jill Riepenhoff and Todd Jones, ''The Columbus Dispatch''
|
|-
|-
| 2008
| 2008
| [[Jim Schaefer]] & [[M.L. Elrick]], ''[[Detroit Free Press]]''
| [[Jim Schaefer]] & [[M.L. Elrick]], ''[[Detroit Free Press]]''
|
|-
|-
| 2007
| 2007
| Joe Adams, ''[[The Florida Times-Union]]''
| Joe Adams, ''[[The Florida Times-Union]]''
|
|-
|-
| 2006
| 2006
| Terry Francke, Peter Scheer and the California [[First Amendment Coalition]]
| Terry Francke, Peter Scheer, and the California [[First Amendment Coalition]]
|
|-
|-
| 2005
| 2005
| [[Kate Martin (jurist)|Kate Martin]] and the Center for National Security Studies
| [[Kate Martin (jurist)|Kate Martin]] and the Center for National Security Studies
|
|-
|-
| 2004
| 2004
| Dan Christensen, ''Miami Daily Business Review''
| Dan Christensen, ''Miami Daily Business Review''
|
|-
|-
| 2003
| 2003
| [[Seth Rosenfeld]], ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]''
| [[Seth Rosenfeld]], ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]''
|
|-
|-
| 2002
| 2002
| Dr. William Lawbaugh, [[Mount Saint Mary's University]]
| William Lawbaugh, [[Mount Saint Mary's University]]
|
|-
|-
| 1997
| 1997
| [[Jonathan Marshall]], ''[[Scottsdale Daily Progress]]''
| [[Jonathan Marshall (publisher)|Jonathan Marshall]], ''[[Scottsdale Daily Progress]]''
|
|}
|}


==Kunkel Awards==
=== Kunkel Awards ===
Responding to concerns originating in the [[Gamergate controversy]], in 2015 the SPJ launched the Kunkel Awards (named after pioneering [[video game journalism|video game journalist]] [[Bill Kunkel (gaming)|Bill Kunkel]]) for ethics in game journalism.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cjr.org/analysis/gamergate_spj_ethics.php | title=Why some SPJ leaders are engaging Gamergate | website=Columbia Journalism Review | date= November 23, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.podcat.com/podcasts/uyTvOl-original-gamer-podcast/episodes/akF6eo-161-gamergate-debate-talk-with-spj-s-michael-koretzky |title=Archived copy |accessdate=May 29, 2016 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808142649/https://www.podcat.com/podcasts/uyTvOl-original-gamer-podcast/episodes/akF6eo-161-gamergate-debate-talk-with-spj-s-michael-koretzky |archivedate=August 8, 2016 }}</ref>
Responding to concerns originating in the [[Gamergate controversy]], in 2015 the SPJ launched the Kunkel Awards (named after pioneering [[video game journalism|video game journalist]] [[Bill Kunkel (journalist)|Bill Kunkel]]) for game journalism.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cjr.org/analysis/gamergate_spj_ethics.php | title=Why some SPJ leaders are engaging Gamergate | website=Columbia Journalism Review | date= November 23, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.podcat.com/podcasts/uyTvOl-original-gamer-podcast/episodes/akF6eo-161-gamergate-debate-talk-with-spj-s-michael-koretzky |title=#161 - #Gamergate debate, 'Original Gamer Podcast' - Podcat |access-date=May 29, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808142649/https://www.podcat.com/podcasts/uyTvOl-original-gamer-podcast/episodes/akF6eo-161-gamergate-debate-talk-with-spj-s-michael-koretzky |archive-date=August 8, 2016 }}</ref> The award was folded into the [https://www.spj.org/a-moe.asp Mark of Excellence Awards] in 2020<ref>Koretzky, Michael. [https://blogs.spjnetwork.org/kunkel/2020/05/10/over-not-out Over, not out]. Society of Professional Journalists. 10 May 2020.</ref>


{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
!Year
!Recipient
!References
|-
|-
| 2019
| 2018<ref>[https://www.spj.org/kunkel-winners-2018.asp Kunkel Awards - 2018 Winners]. Society of Professional Journalists. 2018.</ref>
| Super Bunnyhop, [[Alex Andreev|Alex Andrejev]] (''[[The Washington Post|Washington Post]]''), Luke Winkie (''[[The Atlantic]]''), Kenneth Niemeyer (''[[Daily Mississippian]]''), [[Alex Andreev|Alex Andrejev]] (''[[The Washington Post|Washington Post]]''), Ferris Jabr (''[[The New York Times Magazine|New York Times Magazine]]'')
|<ref>[https://www.spj.org/kunkel-winners-2019.asp Kunkel Awards - 2019 Winners]. Society of Professional Journalists. 2019.</ref>
|-
| 2018
| Mark Brown, Megan Fernandez (''[[Indianapolis Monthly]]''), Lydia Niles (''[[The Daily Orange]]''), Felix Gillette (''[[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg]]''), Cecilia D'Anastasio (''[[Kotaku]]'')
| Mark Brown, Megan Fernandez (''[[Indianapolis Monthly]]''), Lydia Niles (''[[The Daily Orange]]''), Felix Gillette (''[[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg]]''), Cecilia D'Anastasio (''[[Kotaku]]'')
|<ref>[https://www.spj.org/kunkel-winners-2018.asp Kunkel Awards - 2018 Winners]. Society of Professional Journalists. 2018.</ref>
|-
|-
| 2017
| 2017<ref>[https://www.spj.org/kunkel-winners-2017.asp Kunkel Awards - 2017 Winners]. Society of Professional Journalists. 2017.</ref>
| My Life in Gaming, [[Brian Crecente]] (''[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]''), Caroline Bartholomew (''[[The Daily Orange]]''), Simon Parkin (''[[Nautilus (science magazine)|Nautilus]]''), Jason Schreier (''[[Kotaku]]'')
| My Life in Gaming, [[Brian Crecente]] (''[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]''), Caroline Bartholomew (''[[The Daily Orange]]''), Simon Parkin (''[[Nautilus (science magazine)|Nautilus]]''), [[Jason Schreier]](''[[Kotaku]]'')
|<ref>[https://www.spj.org/kunkel-winners-2017.asp Kunkel Awards - 2017 Winners]. Society of Professional Journalists. 2017.</ref>
|-
|-
| 2016
| 2016<ref>[https://www.spj.org/kunkel-winners-2016.asp Kunkel Awards - 2016 Winners]. Society of Professional Journalists. 2017.</ref>
| Brad Glasgow (''Allthink''), Richard Moss (''[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]'')/Ben Sailer (''[[Kill Screen]]''), Aiden Strawhun (''[[Kotaku]]''), Danny O'Dwyer (''[[Noclip]]'')
| Brad Glasgow (''Allthink''), Richard Moss (''[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]'')/Ben Sailer (''[[Kill Screen]]''), Aiden Strawhun (''[[Kotaku]]''), Danny O'Dwyer (''[[Noclip]]'')
|<ref>[https://www.spj.org/kunkel-winners-2016.asp Kunkel Awards - 2016 Winners]. Society of Professional Journalists. 2017.</ref>
|-
|-
| 2015
| 2015<ref>[http://www.spj.org/kunkel-winners-2015.asp Kunkel Awards - 2015 Winners]. Society of Professional Journalists. 2016.</ref>
| ''[[Kotaku]]'', ''[[The Guardian]]'', Super Bunnyhop, [[Innuendo Studios]], ''[[Ars Technica]]''
| ''[[Kotaku]]'', ''[[The Guardian]]'', Super Bunnyhop, [[Innuendo Studios]], ''[[Ars Technica]]''
|<ref>[http://www.spj.org/kunkel-winners-2015.asp Kunkel Awards - 2015 Winners]. Society of Professional Journalists. 2016.</ref>
|}
|}

=== Helen Thomas Award for Lifetime Achievement ===
The Helen Thomas [[lifetime achievement award]] was awarded by the SPJ between 2000 and 2010.<ref name="spj-htala">{{Cite web|url=https://www.spj.org/a-hthomas.asp|title=Helen Thomas Award for Lifetime Achievement - Society of Professional Journalists}}</ref> It was named after [[Helen Thomas]], who received the first award in 2000. The award was discontinued in 2011 due to the controversy surrounding Thomas's statements about [[Jews]] and the [[Israeli–Palestinian conflict]].<ref>[https://www.spj.org/news.asp?ref=1030 SPJ board of directors votes to retire Helen Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award]</ref><ref>[https://spjdc.org/2011/12/retirement-of-helen-thomas-award-upheld-by-convention-delegates/ Retirement of Helen Thomas award upheld by convention delegates]</ref>

{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
!Year
!Recipient
!References
|-
| 2010
| [[David Perlman]] (science journalist for the ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'')
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=SPJ honors David Perlman with lifetime achievement award |url=https://www.spj.org/news.asp?ref=990}}</ref>
|-
| 2009
| Robert Churchwell
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Civil Rights-era journalist Robert Churchwell honored with Helen Thomas Award for Lifetime Achievement |url=https://www.spj.org/news.asp?ref=907}}</ref>
|-
| 2008
| [[Caryl Rivers]] ([[Boston University]])
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Caryl Rivers Honored with Helen Thomas Award for Lifetime Achievement |url=https://www.spj.org/news.asp?ref=823}}</ref>
|-
| 2007
| [[Chuck Stone]] (first president of the [[National Association of Black Journalists]])
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chuck Stone Honored with Helen Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award |url=https://www.spj.org/news.asp?ref=698}}</ref>
|-
| 2006
| [[Stan Chambers]] ([[KTLA]], Los Angeles)
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stan Chambers Honored with Helen Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award |url=https://www.spj.org/news.asp?ref=606}}</ref>
|-
| 2005
| Alan Walden (WBAL Baltimore)
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=SPJ honors Alan Walden with lifetime achievement award |url=https://www.spj.org/news.asp?ref=530}}</ref>
|-
| 2004
| [[Tom Brokaw]] ([[NBC News]])
|<ref name="spj-htala" />
|-
| 2003
| Ed Barber (''[[The Independent Florida Alligator]]'')
|<ref name="spj-htala" />
|-
| 2002
| [[Tom Gish|Tom]] and [[Pat Gish]] ([[The Mountain Eagle (newspaper)|''The Mountain Eagle'']], [[Whitesburg, Kentucky]])
|<ref name="spj-htala" />
|-
| 2001
| not awarded
|<ref name="spj-htala" />
|-
| 2000
| Helen Thomas, former senior [[United Press International|UPI]] [[White House correspondent]]
|<ref name="spj-htala" />
|}

=== Other Awards ===
The SPJ also administers the Green Eyeshade Awards and the Sunshine State Awards. The Green Eyeshade Awards annually recognize journalists in [[Alabama]], [[Arkansas]], [[Florida]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], [[Kentucky]], [[Louisiana]], [[Mississippi]], [[North Carolina]], [[South Carolina]], [[Tennessee]], and [[West Virginia]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Green Eyeshade Awards {{!}} Excellence in Journalism |url=http://www.greeneyeshade.org/ |access-date=2023-07-31 |language=en-US}}</ref> The Sunshine State Awards are given each year to journalists in Florida, [[Puerto Rico]], and the [[U.S. Virgin Islands]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sunshine State Awards {{!}} SPJ Florida |url=https://spjflorida.com/sunshine-state-awards/ |access-date=2023-07-31 |language=en-US}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
Line 134: Line 232:
* {{Official website|https://www.spj.org}}
* {{Official website|https://www.spj.org}}
* [https://archives.lib.umd.edu/repositories/2/resources/869 Sigma Delta Chi records] at the [[University of Maryland Libraries]]
* [https://archives.lib.umd.edu/repositories/2/resources/869 Sigma Delta Chi records] at the [[University of Maryland Libraries]]
* [https://www.spj.org/pdf/spj-code-of-ethics.pdf SPJ Code of Ethics]


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}

Revision as of 22:12, 2 April 2024

"SPJ", "Sigma Delta Chi", and "Quill (magazine)" redirect here. For other uses of "SPJ", see SPJ (disambiguation). For the Sigma Delta Chi sorority, see Sigma Delta Chi (sorority). For other uses of "quill", see Quill (disambiguation).
Society of Professional Journalists
FormationApril 17, 1909; 115 years ago (1909-04-17)[1]
Headquarters3909 N. Meridian Street, Indianapolis, Indiana
Official language
English
President
Patricia Gallagher Newberry[2]
Key people
Matthew T. Hall - President-Elect
Websitewww.spj.org

The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), formerly known as Sigma Delta Chi, is the oldest organization representing journalists in the United States. It was established on April 17, 1909, at DePauw University,[3][4] and its charter was designed by William Meharry Glenn.[5][1]

The original logo of ΣΔΧ; the pin was similar.

History

The Society of Professional Journalists was established on April 17, 1909, as a men's professional fraternity named Sigma Delta Chi. Its ten founding members were:[6]

  • Gilbert C. Clippinger
  • Charles A. Fisher
  • William M. Glenn
  • H. Hedges
  • L. Aldis Hutchens
  • Edward H. Lockwood
  • LeRoy H. Millikan
  • Eugene C. Pulliam
  • Paul M. Riddick
  • Lawrence H. Sloan.

The organization continued to function as a fraternity until 1960 when it became a professional society. At the 1969 San Diego convention, Sigma Delta Chi decided to begin admitting women into the society. In 1973, the society changed its name to Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi. In 1988, the present Society of Professional Journalists name was adopted.[7]

The stated mission of SPJ 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.[8]

It has also drawn up a Code of Ethics that aims to inspire journalists to adhere to high standards of behavior and decision-making while performing their work.[9]

Chapters

SPJ has nearly 300 chapters across the United States.

Membership

Its membership base is more than 6,000 members of the media.

Activities

The society's chapters 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.

Awards

Eugene S. Pulliam First Amendment Award

The Eugene S. Pulliam First Amendment Award is awarded annually by the Society of Professional Journalists in honor of publisher Eugene S. Pulliam's dedication to First Amendment rights and values. The award seeks "to honor a person or persons who have fought to protect and preserve one or more of the rights guaranteed by the First Amendment."[10]

Year Recipient References
2020 The Post and Courier
2019 Spotlight Team, Boston Globe
2018 Kansas City Star
2017 Better Government Association
2015 The Columbus Dispatch and the Student Press Law Center
2014 Associated Press
2013 Gina Barton, John Diedrich and Ben Poston, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
2012 Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald
2011 Associated Press
2010 Renee Dudley, The Island Packet of Bluffton, S.C. [11]
2009 Jill Riepenhoff and Todd Jones, The Columbus Dispatch
2008 Jim Schaefer & M.L. Elrick, Detroit Free Press
2007 Joe Adams, The Florida Times-Union
2006 Terry Francke, Peter Scheer, and the California First Amendment Coalition
2005 Kate Martin and the Center for National Security Studies
2004 Dan Christensen, Miami Daily Business Review
2003 Seth Rosenfeld, San Francisco Chronicle
2002 William Lawbaugh, Mount Saint Mary's University
1997 Jonathan Marshall, Scottsdale Daily Progress

Kunkel Awards

Responding to concerns originating in the Gamergate controversy, in 2015 the SPJ launched the Kunkel Awards (named after pioneering video game journalist Bill Kunkel) for game journalism.[12][13] The award was folded into the Mark of Excellence Awards in 2020[14]

Year Recipient References
2019 Super Bunnyhop, Alex Andrejev (Washington Post), Luke Winkie (The Atlantic), Kenneth Niemeyer (Daily Mississippian), Alex Andrejev (Washington Post), Ferris Jabr (New York Times Magazine) [15]
2018 Mark Brown, Megan Fernandez (Indianapolis Monthly), Lydia Niles (The Daily Orange), Felix Gillette (Bloomberg), Cecilia D'Anastasio (Kotaku) [16]
2017 My Life in Gaming, Brian Crecente (Polygon), Caroline Bartholomew (The Daily Orange), Simon Parkin (Nautilus), Jason Schreier(Kotaku) [17]
2016 Brad Glasgow (Allthink), Richard Moss (Polygon)/Ben Sailer (Kill Screen), Aiden Strawhun (Kotaku), Danny O'Dwyer (Noclip) [18]
2015 Kotaku, The Guardian, Super Bunnyhop, Innuendo Studios, Ars Technica [19]

Helen Thomas Award for Lifetime Achievement

The Helen Thomas lifetime achievement award was awarded by the SPJ between 2000 and 2010.[20] It was named after Helen Thomas, who received the first award in 2000. The award was discontinued in 2011 due to the controversy surrounding Thomas's statements about Jews and the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.[21][22]

Year Recipient References
2010 David Perlman (science journalist for the San Francisco Chronicle) [23]
2009 Robert Churchwell [24]
2008 Caryl Rivers (Boston University) [25]
2007 Chuck Stone (first president of the National Association of Black Journalists) [26]
2006 Stan Chambers (KTLA, Los Angeles) [27]
2005 Alan Walden (WBAL Baltimore) [28]
2004 Tom Brokaw (NBC News) [20]
2003 Ed Barber (The Independent Florida Alligator) [20]
2002 Tom and Pat Gish (The Mountain Eagle, Whitesburg, Kentucky) [20]
2001 not awarded [20]
2000 Helen Thomas, former senior UPI White House correspondent [20]

Other Awards

The SPJ also administers the Green Eyeshade Awards and the Sunshine State Awards. The Green Eyeshade Awards annually recognize journalists in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia.[29] The Sunshine State Awards are given each year to journalists in Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.[30]

References

  1. ^ a b Professional Fraternities by Professional Interfraternity Conference - 1950
  2. ^ About the SPJ: Board of Directors at spj.org.
  3. ^ Glenn, William Meharry (1949). The Sigma Delta Chi Story (1909-1949). Retrieved August 21, 2010.
  4. ^ 2009 SPJ Annual Report, letter from the presidents
  5. ^ "William Meharry Glenn". Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on July 26, 2011. Retrieved August 21, 2010.
  6. ^ "Sigma Delta Chi, Honorary Journalism Fraternity, Founded at DePauw". DePauw University. Archived from the original on June 10, 2011. Retrieved August 21, 2010.
  7. ^ Aeikens, Dave (March 3, 2009). "Join us in celebrating 100 years of SPJ at DePauw University in April". Quill.
  8. ^ Society of Professional Journalists - "Our Mission"
  9. ^ "SPJ Code of Ethics". Society of Professional journalists. Retrieved November 23, 2015.
  10. ^ SPJ.org "Eugene S. Pulliam First Amendment Award"
  11. ^ "Reporter Dudley wins award" October 7, * 2010 The Post and Courier retrieved November 8, * 2015
  12. ^ "Why some SPJ leaders are engaging Gamergate". Columbia Journalism Review. November 23, 2015.
  13. ^ "#161 - #Gamergate debate, 'Original Gamer Podcast' - Podcat". Archived from the original on August 8, 2016. Retrieved May 29, 2016.
  14. ^ Koretzky, Michael. Over, not out. Society of Professional Journalists. 10 May 2020.
  15. ^ Kunkel Awards - 2019 Winners. Society of Professional Journalists. 2019.
  16. ^ Kunkel Awards - 2018 Winners. Society of Professional Journalists. 2018.
  17. ^ Kunkel Awards - 2017 Winners. Society of Professional Journalists. 2017.
  18. ^ Kunkel Awards - 2016 Winners. Society of Professional Journalists. 2017.
  19. ^ Kunkel Awards - 2015 Winners. Society of Professional Journalists. 2016.
  20. ^ a b c d e f "Helen Thomas Award for Lifetime Achievement - Society of Professional Journalists".
  21. ^ SPJ board of directors votes to retire Helen Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award
  22. ^ Retirement of Helen Thomas award upheld by convention delegates
  23. ^ "SPJ honors David Perlman with lifetime achievement award".
  24. ^ "Civil Rights-era journalist Robert Churchwell honored with Helen Thomas Award for Lifetime Achievement".
  25. ^ "Caryl Rivers Honored with Helen Thomas Award for Lifetime Achievement".
  26. ^ "Chuck Stone Honored with Helen Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award".
  27. ^ "Stan Chambers Honored with Helen Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award".
  28. ^ "SPJ honors Alan Walden with lifetime achievement award".
  29. ^ "Green Eyeshade Awards | Excellence in Journalism". Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  30. ^ "Sunshine State Awards | SPJ Florida". Retrieved 2023-07-31.

External links

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