Society of Professional Journalists
The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) is a broad-based organization that aims to improve and protect journalism and is based in Indianapolis, Indiana. It seeks to help journalists live up to important principles of journalism, protect freedom of information and of expression, promote adherence to ethical principles, provide opportunities for professional development, and encourage diversity in coverage and staffing at all levels of the profession.
SPJ has about 4,000 members who belong to three different categories: (1) print, radio, television, and online journalists; (2) students interested in journalism as a career; and (3) journalism educators. It was founded in 1909 as the journalism fraternity Sigma Delta Chi by a group of students at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, who were interested in journalism careers. SPJ’s official motto (“They serve best who serve the truth.”) and its watchwords (“Talent, Truth and Energy”) were launched during its first National Convention, organized three years after its founding and later included in its bylaws. SPJ shifted from fraternity to professional society in 1960, though it was not until 1970 that women were admitted to SPJ. In 1973, it changed its name to Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi and, in 1988, changed it again to simply the Society of Professional Journalists.
SPJ has professional and student chapters, nearly all of them in the United States or its territories, although there are several student chapters elsewhere. Under SPJ bylaws, 20 or more members living in any one area can establish a professional chapter, but only one professional chapter can be established in any one city.
SPJ’s mission is to protect journalism so that Americans can be well-informed and participate in decisions affecting their lives and communities. SPJ’s work centers on defending press freedom and the First Amendment, encouraging high ethical standards, supporting diversity in journalism, recognizing excellence, and preparing future generations of journalists.
Since its founding, SPJ’s activities have taken shape in three specific areas: publications, programs and projects, and professional ethics. Since 1912, it has published Quill, a magazine that focuses on the long-term impact of news industry development, the controversies concerning press freedom, and on news about SPJ. The print edition is published four times a year, and Quill also has its own website. SPJ also publishes member communications, including Leads, a weekly newsletter covering SPJ news, journalism jobs, ethics case studies, and First Amendment work.
Among the areas of focus for SPJ programs are freedom of information, journalists’ legal protection, and education and training. It presents an annual report on freedom of information; tracks administrative, legislative, and judicial developments; and makes its voice heard through court filings and petitions on behalf of journalists who have been shut out of hearings, denied access to information, or forced by courts to turn over notes and research. Its Legal Defense Fund is the tool through which it helps journalists involved in access and shield law cases, providing them with legal or direct financial assistance. Its Journalism Education Committee works to promote excellence in education programs and practical research, while local chapters also offer education programming.
To promote high standards of behavior and decision-making, in 1926, SPJ adopted its first code of ethics, which has since been updated several times. The code calls on journalists to seek truth and report it, minimize harm, act independently, and be accountable and transparent. Aiming to teach journalists how to make clear, defensible decisions, the SPJ has organized conferences to increase the public debate about the relationship between freedom of information and journalists’ responsibilities and created awards programs to honor outstanding journalism and recognize best practices by journalists, students, and media organizations. In addition, several issues of Quill have focused on ethical issues.
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SPJ has at times been the subject of criticism, perhaps most strongly in 2005 when it gave its First Amendment Award to Judith Miller of The New York Times, who spent 85 days in jail rather than reveal the confidential source who had given her information about an undercover Central Intelligence Agency operative. The Deadline Club chapter of SPJ in New York expressed concern about the award because of unanswered questions about Miller’s actions in the Central Intelligence Agency case. Miller also was widely criticized by other journalists for flawed reporting about Iraq prior to the Iraq War and in its early stages.
The original version of this article was published by SAGE Publications in The SAGE International Encyclopedia of Mass Media and Society.