Logo, Society of Professional Journalists
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Formation | 1909 |
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Headquarters | 3909 N. Meridian Street, Indianapolis, Indiana |
Official language
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English |
President
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Paul Fletcher [1] |
Key people
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Lynn Walsh - President-Elect |
Website | http://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 in April 1909 at DePauw University,[2][3] and its charter was designed by William Meharry Glenn.[4] The ten founding members of Sigma Delta Chi included Gilbert C. Clippinger, Charles A. Fisher, William M. Glenn, Marion H. Hedges, L. Aldis Hutchens, Edward H. Lockwood, LeRoy H. Millikan, Eugene C. Pulliam, Paul M. Riddick, and Lawrence H. Sloan.[5]
Contents
Overview
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.[6]
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 9,000 members of the media.
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 that aims to inspire journalists to adhere to high standards of behavior and decision-making while performing their work.
Budget
In 2009, The Society of Professional Journalists had revenue of $1.4 million. It spent $1.6 million.[7] The same year, the Sigma Delta Chi Foundation had a revenue of $934,731 and expenditures of $766,690.[7]
Sigma Delta Chi received $312,500 in grants in 2009.[8]
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."[9]
Past recipients of the award include:
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.[10]
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 Dr. William Lawbaugh, Mount Saint Mary's University
References
- ^ http://www.spj.org/spjboard.asp
- ^ Glenn, William Meharry (1949). The Sigma Delta Chi Story (1909-1949). Retrieved August 21, 2010.
- ^ 2009 SPJ Annual Report, letter from the presidents
- ^ "William Meharry Glenn". Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame. Retrieved August 21, 2010.
- ^ "Sigma Delta Chi, Honorary Journalism Fraternity, Founded at DePauw". DePauw University. Retrieved August 21, 2010.
- ^ Society of Professional Journalists - "Our Mission"
- ^ a b 2009 SPJ annual report, page 10
- ^ 2009 SPJ annual report, page 6
- ^ 'SPJ.org "Eugene S. Pulliam First Amendment Award"
- ^ "Reporter Dudley wins award" October 7, 2010 The Post and Courier retrieved November 8, 2015
External links
- Society of Professional Journalists
- Deadline Club (New York chapter of SPJ)
- Connecticut Society of Professional Journalists
- Council of National Journalism Organizations
- "Fast Facts" on SPJ
- Code of Ethics
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