What is the Society of Professional Journalists?

The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) is a non-profit organization that aims to promote and protect ethical and professional journalism. Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, SPJ is one of the oldest and largest professional organizations for journalists in the United States. It has more than 7,500 members, including journalists, journalism educators, and students.

The organization's mission is to improve and protect journalism through education, training, and advocacy. SPJ provides its members with tools and resources to help them improve their skills and stay up-to-date with industry standards and best practices. It also advocates for press freedom, government transparency, and ethical journalism practices.

SPJ is best known for its Code of Ethics, which outlines ethical standards for journalists. The code includes principles such as seeking truth and reporting it, minimizing harm, and acting independently. SPJ also awards the prestigious Sigma Delta Chi Awards for excellence in journalism across various categories including investigative reporting, feature reporting, and editorial cartoons.