Society of Professional Journalists

Association for journalists in the US

"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

Logo, Society of Professional Journalists

Formation| April 17, 1909; 116 years ago (1909-04-17)[1]
Headquarters| 3909 N. Meridian Street, Indianapolis, Indiana

Official language

| English

President

| Emily Bloch[2]

Key people

| Caroline Hendrie - Executive Director
Website| www.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]

Sigma Gamma Chi logo Sigma Gamma Chi badge

## History

[edit]

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]

### Code of Ethics

[edit]

See also: Code of ethics in media § Society of Professional Journalists' version

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] Last updated in 2014, this code of ethics has been what the SPJ has been best known for.[10]

## Chapters

[edit]

SPJ has had as many as 300 chapters across the United States, which Sarah Scire wonders how well this system is well-suited for the digital age.[10]

## Membership

[edit]

As of 2023, membership has declined from its peak around 10,000 members to more than 4,000 members.[10] The declining number of journalists in the United States appears largely responsible for the decline as well as the organization's inability to afford to put on a conference in 2024.[10][11]

## Activities

[edit]

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 honor excellence in journalism.

## Awards

[edit]

### Eugene S. Pulliam First Amendment Award

[edit]

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."[12]

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.  | [13]
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

[edit]

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.[14][15] The award was folded into the Mark of Excellence Awards in 2020.[16]

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)  | [17]
2018  | Mark Brown, Megan Fernandez (Indianapolis Monthly), Lydia Niles (The Daily Orange), Felix Gillette (Bloomberg), Cecilia D'Anastasio (Kotaku)  | [18]
2017  | My Life in Gaming, Brian Crecente (Polygon), Caroline Bartholomew (The Daily Orange), Simon Parkin (Nautilus), Jason Schreier(Kotaku)  | [19]
2016  | Brad Glasgow (Allthink), Richard Moss (Polygon)/Ben Sailer (Kill Screen), Aiden Strawhun (Kotaku), Danny O'Dwyer (Noclip)  | [20]
2015  | Kotaku, The Guardian, Super Bunnyhop, Innuendo Studios, Ars Technica | [21]

### Helen Thomas Award for Lifetime Achievement

[edit]

The Helen Thomas lifetime achievement award was awarded by the SPJ between 2000 and 2010.[22] 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.[23][24]

Year  | Recipient  | References

|
|

2010  | David Perlman (science journalist for the San Francisco Chronicle)  | [25]
2009  | Robert Churchwell  | [26]
2008  | Caryl Rivers (Boston University)  | [27]
2007  | Chuck Stone (first president of the National Association of Black Journalists)  | [28]
2006  | Stan Chambers (KTLA, Los Angeles)  | [29]
2005  | Alan Walden (WBAL Baltimore)  | [30]
2004  | Tom Brokaw (NBC News)  | [22]
2003  | Ed Barber (The Independent Florida Alligator)  | [22]
2002  | Tom and Pat Gish (The Mountain Eagle, Whitesburg, Kentucky)  | [22]
2001  | not awarded  | [22]
2000  | Helen Thomas, former senior UPI White House correspondent | [22]

### Other Awards

[edit]

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, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, U.S. Virgin Islands, Virginia, and West Virginia.[31] The Sunshine State Awards are given each year to journalists in Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.[32]

## See also

[edit]

* Institute for Nonprofit News
* Online News Association

## References

[edit]

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. ^ a b c d Scire, Sarah (September 28, 2023). "The Society of Professional Journalists faces a "dire situation"". Nieman Lab. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
11. ^ Fu, Angela (2023-10-04). "Facing a financial shortfall, the Society of Professional Journalists turns to its foundation for support". Poynter. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
12. ^ "Eugene S. Pulliam First Amendment Award" SPJ.org
13. ^ "Reporter Dudley wins award" October 7, * 2010 The Post and Courier retrieved November 8, * 2015
14. ^ "Why some SPJ leaders are engaging Gamergate". Columbia Journalism Review. November 23, 2015.
15. ^ "#161 - #Gamergate debate, 'Original Gamer Podcast' - Podcat". Archived from the original on August 8, 2016. Retrieved May 29, 2016.
16. ^ Koretzky, Michael. Over, not out. Society of Professional Journalists. 10 May 2020.
17. ^ Kunkel Awards - 2019 Winners. Society of Professional Journalists. 2019.
18. ^ Kunkel Awards - 2018 Winners. Society of Professional Journalists. 2018.
19. ^ Kunkel Awards - 2017 Winners. Society of Professional Journalists. 2017.
20. ^ Kunkel Awards - 2016 Winners. Society of Professional Journalists. 2017.
21. ^ Kunkel Awards - 2015 Winners. Society of Professional Journalists. 2016.
22. ^ a b c d e f "Helen Thomas Award for Lifetime Achievement - Society of Professional Journalists".
23. ^ SPJ board of directors votes to retire Helen Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award
24. ^ Retirement of Helen Thomas award upheld by convention delegates
25. ^ "SPJ honors David Perlman with lifetime achievement award".
26. ^ "Civil Rights-era journalist Robert Churchwell honored with Helen Thomas Award for Lifetime Achievement".
27. ^ "Caryl Rivers Honored with Helen Thomas Award for Lifetime Achievement".
28. ^ "Chuck Stone Honored with Helen Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award".
29. ^ "Stan Chambers Honored with Helen Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award".
30. ^ "SPJ honors Alan Walden with lifetime achievement award".
31. ^ "Green Eyeshade Awards | Excellence in Journalism". Retrieved 2023-07-31.
32. ^ "Sunshine State Awards | SPJ Florida". Retrieved 2023-07-31.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website
* Sigma Delta Chi records at the University of Maryland Libraries
* SPJ Code of Ethics

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* VIAF

National|

* Germany
* United States
* Israel

Other|

* SNAC

* v
* t
* e

DePauw University

Campus|

* Fits and Starts
* McKim Observatory

Student life|

* DePauw Tigers
* Tiger Pep Band

Greek organizations|

* Greek organizations
* Alpha Chi Omega
* Delta Zeta discrimination controversy
* Kappa Alpha Theta (Alumni)

Media|

* Science Fiction Studies
* WGRE

Misc.|

* Alumni
* Society of Professional Journalists

* v
* t
* e

Professional fraternities and sororities organizations and members

Currently active members of the
Professional Fraternity Association|

* Alpha Zeta
* Alpha Kappa Psi
* Alpha Rho Chi
* Alpha Phi Omega
* Alpha Chi Sigma
* Alpha Omega Epsilon
* Delta Chi Xi
* Delta Epsilon Mu
* Delta Theta Phi
* Delta Kappa Alpha
* Delta Omicron
* Delta Sigma Pi
* Delta Sigma Chi
* Epsilon Nu Tau
* Theta Tau
* Kappa Epsilon
* Kappa Epsilon Psi
* Kappa Eta Kappa
* Kappa Kappa Psi
* Kappa Lambda Chi
* Kappa Psi
* Lambda Kappa Sigma
* Mu Beta Phi
* Mu Phi Epsilon
* Pi Sigma Epsilon
* Rho Pi Phi
* Sigma Alpha
* Sigma Alpha Iota
* Tau Beta Sigma
* Phi Alpha Delta
* Phi Beta
* Phi Gamma Nu
* Phi Delta Epsilon
* Phi Delta Chi
* Phi Sigma Pi
* Phi Chi Theta

Former and formerly active members of
the Professional Fraternity Association
or its predecessors:
Professional Panhellenic Association
or Professional Interfraternity Conference|

* Alpha Delta Theta
* Alpha Delta Sigma
* Alpha Kappa Kappa
* Alpha Sigma Alpha
* Alpha Tau Delta
* Alpha Omega
* Beta Alpha Psi
* Gamma Eta Gamma
* Gamma Iota Sigma
* Delta Epsilon Iota
* Delta Sigma Delta
* Delta Psi Kappa
* Epsilon Eta Phi
* Zeta Phi Eta
* Theta Kappa Psi
* Theta Sigma Upsilon
* Theta Sigma Phi
* Iota Sigma Pi
* Kappa Alpha Pi
* Kappa Beta Pi
* Kappa Delta Epsilon
* Kappa Phi Kappa
* Nu Sigma Nu
* Xi Psi Phi
* Omicron Delta Kappa
* Omicron Nu
* Pi Lambda Theta
* Sigma Delta Chi
* Sigma Nu Phi
* Sigma Sigma Sigma
* Sigma Phi Delta (now social)
* Phi Beta Gamma
* Phi Beta Pi
* Phi Delta Delta
* Phi Delta Gamma
* Phi Delta Kappa
* Phi Delta Pi
* Phi Delta Phi (now honor society)
* Phi Epsilon Kappa
* Phi Lambda Kappa
* Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia (now social)
* Phi Rho Sigma
* Phi Upsilon Omicron
* Phi Chi
* Chi Beta Phi
* Psi Omega
* Omega Tau Sigma
* Omega Upsilon Phi
* Pershing Rifles
* Scabbard and Blade
* Scarab

North American Interfraternity Conference|

* Alpha Gamma Rho
* Alpha Gamma Sigma

Active independent professional fraternities|

* Alpha Gamma Kappa
* Alpha Zeta Omega
* Alpha Eta Rho
* Alpha Iota
* Alpha Psi
* Gamma Epsilon Tau
* Delta Theta Sigma
* Delta Kappa Gamma
* Delta Kappa Phi
* Delta Phi Epsilon
* Kappa Gamma Psi
* Kappa Pi
* Nu Beta Epsilon
* Phi Delta Kappa (sorority)
* Phi Sigma Gamma
* Phi Psi
* Chi Delta Mu
* Chi Eta Phi
* Block and Bridle
* Queens' Guard

Inactive independent professional fraternities|

* Aleph Yodh He
* Alpha Epsilon Iota
* Alpha Tau Sigma
* Chi Zeta Chi
* Delta Omicron Alpha
* Delta Sigma Theta
* Pi Delta Nu

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