Society of Professional Journalists

Last updated
Society of Professional Journalists
FormationApril 17, 1909;116 years ago (1909-04-17) [1]
Headquarters3909 N. Meridian Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
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. The organization is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Contents

It was established on April 17, 1909, at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. [3] [4] Its charter was designed by William Meharry Glenn. [5] [1] It is the oldest organization serving the field of journalism. [6]

Sigma Delta Chi logo The crest of Sigma Delta Chi.png
Sigma Delta Chi logo
Sigma Delta Chi badge Sigma Delta Chi badge.png
Sigma Delta Chi badge

History

Sigma Delta Chi

The Society of Professional Journalists was established on April 17, 1909, as a men's collegiate professional fraternity named Sigma Delta Chi. [7] Its ten founding members 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. [7]

In 1910, Sigma Delta Chi expanded to the University of Kansas, the University of Michigan, Denver University, and the University of Virginia. [7] By 1929, it had initiated 5,821 members at 53 college chapters, with 44 chapters remaining active. [7] It was governed by an executive council consisting of national officers who were elected during the fraternity's annual convention of delegates. [7]

The organization continued to function as a fraternity until 1960 when it became a professional society for journalists. [6] The professional society was a nonprofit voluntary organization for men, with professional membership being by invitation. [6] In 1963, it had initiated more than 24,200 members, 79 active college chapters, and 16 inactive college chapters. [6]

At the 1969 San Diego convention, Sigma Delta Chi decided to begin admitting women into the society.

Society of Professional Journalists

In 1973, the society changed its name to Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi. [8] In 1988, the present Society of Professional Journalists name was adopted. [8]

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. [9]

Symbols

Sigma Delta Chi's emblem was a key that bore a quill over a scroll, between the lamp of learning on the left and a five-pointed start on the right. [6] Its publication was The Quill. [7] [6]

SPJ's color is blue. [10] Its symbol is its logo. [10] The organization also has a shield logo. [10] Its motto is "Protecting Journalism since 1909". [10]

Chapters

SPJ has had as many as 300 chapters across the United States. [11] [12]

Membership

SPJ has three classes of members: undergraduate, professional, and alumni. [6]

As of 2023, membership has declined from its peak around 10,000 members to more than 4,000 members. [11] 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. [11] [13]

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 honor excellence in journalism.

Code of Ethics

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. [14] Last updated in 2014, this code of ethics has been what the SPJ has been best known for. [11]

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." [15]

YearRecipientReferences
2020 The Post and Courier [16]
2019Spotlight Team, Boston Globe [17]
2018 Kansas City Star [18]
2017 Better Government Association [19]
2015 The Columbus Dispatch and the Student Press Law Center [20]
2014 Associated Press [21] [22]
2013Gina Barton, John Diedrich and Ben Poston, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel [23]
2012 Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald [24]
2011Associated Press [25] [26]
2010Renee Dudley, The Island Packet of Bluffton, S.C. [27] [28]
2009Jill Riepenhoff and Todd Jones, The Columbus Dispatch [29]
2008 Jim Schaefer & M.L. Elrick, Detroit Free Press [30]
2007Joe Adams, The Florida Times-Union [31]
2006Terry Francke, Peter Scheer, and the California First Amendment Coalition [32]
2005 Kate Martin and the Center for National Security Studies [33]
2004Dan Christensen, Miami Daily Business Review [34]
2003 Seth Rosenfeld, San Francisco Chronicle [35]
2002William Lawbaugh, Mount Saint Mary's University [36]

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. [37] [38] The award was folded into the Mark of Excellence Awards in 2020. [39]

YearRecipientReferences
2019Super Bunnyhop, Alex Andrejev ( Washington Post ), Luke Winkie ( The Atlantic ), Kenneth Niemeyer ( Daily Mississippian ), Alex Andrejev ( Washington Post ), Ferris Jabr ( New York Times Magazine ) [40]
2018Mark Brown, Megan Fernandez ( Indianapolis Monthly ), Lydia Niles ( The Daily Orange ), Felix Gillette ( Bloomberg ), Cecilia D'Anastasio ( Kotaku ) [41]
2017My Life in Gaming, Brian Crecente ( Polygon ), Caroline Bartholomew ( The Daily Orange ), Simon Parkin ( Nautilus ), Jason Schreier( Kotaku ) [42]
2016Brad Glasgow (Allthink), Richard Moss ( Polygon )/Ben Sailer ( Kill Screen ), Aiden Strawhun ( Kotaku ), Danny O'Dwyer ( Noclip ) [43]
2015 Kotaku , The Guardian , Super Bunnyhop, Innuendo Studios, Ars Technica [44]

Helen Thomas Award for Lifetime Achievement

The Helen Thomas lifetime achievement award was awarded by the SPJ between 2000 and 2010. [45] 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 Israeli Jews and the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. [46] [47]

YearRecipientReferences
2010 David Perlman (science journalist for the San Francisco Chronicle ) [48]
2009Robert Churchwell [49]
2008 Caryl Rivers (Boston University) [50]
2007 Chuck Stone (first president of the National Association of Black Journalists) [51]
2006 Stan Chambers (KTLA, Los Angeles) [52]
2005Alan Walden (WBAL Baltimore) [53]
2004 Tom Brokaw (NBC News) [45]
2003Ed Barber ( The Independent Florida Alligator ) [45]
2002 Tom and Pat Gish (The Mountain Eagle, Whitesburg, Kentucky) [45]
2001not awarded [45]
2000Helen Thomas, former senior UPI White House correspondent [45]

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, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, U.S. Virgin Islands, Virginia, and West Virginia. [54] The Sunshine State Awards are given each year to journalists in Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. [55]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Robson, John, ed. (1963). Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities (17th ed.). Menasha, Wisconsin: The Collegiate Press, George Banta Company, Inc. pp. 511-513.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Shepardson, Francis Wayland, ed. Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities, 12th edition . Menasha, Wisconsin: The Collegiate Press/George Banta Publishing Company, 1930. pp. 559-560. via Hathi Trust.
  8. 1 2 Aeikens, Dave (March 3, 2009). "Join us in celebrating 100 years of SPJ at DePauw University in April". Quill.
  9. ↑ Society of Professional Journalists - "Our Mission"
  10. 1 2 3 4 "Brand Guidelines" (PDF). Society of Professional Journalists. 2022. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
  11. 1 2 3 4 Scire, Sarah (September 28, 2023). "The Society of Professional Journalists faces a "dire situation"". Nieman Lab. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
  12. ↑ "Explore SPJ: Chapters". Society of Professional Journalists. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  13. ↑ 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.
  14. ↑ "SPJ Code of Ethics". Society of Professional journalists. Retrieved November 23, 2015.
  15. ↑ "Eugene S. Pulliam First Amendment Award" SPJ.org
  16. ↑ "The Post and Courier receives the Pulliam First Amendment Award". Society of Professional Journalists. August 20, 2020. Retrieved 2025-07-28.
  17. ↑ "Boston Globe receives Pulliam First Amendment Award". Society of Professional Journalists. August 12, 2019. Retrieved 2025-07-28.
  18. ↑ "Kansas City Star receives Pulliam First Amendment Award". Society of Professional Journalists. August 17, 2018. Retrieved 2025-07-28.
  19. ↑ "The Better Government Association receives Pulliam First Amendment Award". Society of Professional Journalists. August 7, 2017. Retrieved 2025-07-28.
  20. ↑ "The Columbus Dispatch, Student Press Law Center receive Pulliam First Amendment Award". Society of Professional Journalists. July 24, 2015. Retrieved 2025-07-28.
  21. ↑ E&P Staff (2014-08-18). "Associated Press Receives Pulliam First Amendment Award". Editor and Publisher. Retrieved 2025-07-28.
  22. ↑ "The Associated Press receives Pulliam First Amendment Award". Society of Professional Journalists. August 18, 2014. Retrieved 2025-07-28.
  23. ↑ "Three Milwaukee Journal Sentinel staffers receive Pulliam First Amendment Award". Society of Professional Journalists. August 5, 2013. Retrieved 2025-07-28.
  24. ↑ "Miami Herald staff writer receives Pulliam First Amendment Award". Society of Professional Journalists. August 20, 2012. Retrieved 2025-07-28.
  25. ↑ Romenesko, Jim (2011-08-08). "AP wins Eugene S. Pulliam First Amendment Award". Poynter. Retrieved 2025-07-28.
  26. ↑ "SPJ honors Associated Press staff with Pulliam First Amendment Award". Society of Professional Journalists. August 8, 2011. Retrieved 2025-07-28.
  27. ↑ "Reporter Dudley wins award" October 7, * 2010 The Post and Courier retrieved November 8, * 2015
  28. ↑ "SPJ honors S.C. reporter with Pulliam First Amendment award". Society of Professional Journalists. August 10, 2010. Retrieved 2025-07-28.
  29. ↑ "Columbus Dispatch writers win Eugene S. Pulliam First Amendment Award for reporting on FERPA". Society of Professional Journalists. August 3, 2009. Retrieved 2025-07-28.
  30. ↑ "Detroit Free Press writers to receive Eugene S. Pulliam First Amendment Award for reporting on mayor". Society of Professional Journalists. August 13, 2008. Retrieved 2025-07-28.
  31. ↑ "Joe Adams to receive Eugene S. Pulliam First Amendment Award". Society of Professional Journalists. September 5, 2007. Retrieved 2025-07-28.
  32. ↑ "Terry Francke, Peter Scheer, the California First Amendment Coalition to receive Eugene S. Pulliam First Amendment Award". Society of Professional Journalists. August 9, 2006. Retrieved 2025-07-28.
  33. ↑ "Kate Martin and the Center for National Security Studies to receive Eugene S. Pulliam First Amendment Award". Society of Professional Journalists. August 12, 2005. Retrieved 2025-07-28.
  34. ↑ "Miami Court Reporter Selected for Pulliam First Amendment Award". Society of Professional Journalists. August 26, 2004. Retrieved 2025-07-28.
  35. ↑ "San Francisco Chronicle Reporter Wins Pulliam First Amendment Award". Society of Professional Journalists. August 7, 2003. Retrieved 2025-07-28.
  36. ↑ "College Media Adviser Wins Pulliam First Amendment Award". Society of Professional Journalists. September 9, 2002. Retrieved 2025-07-28.
  37. ↑ "Why some SPJ leaders are engaging Gamergate". Columbia Journalism Review. November 23, 2015.
  38. ↑ "#161 - #Gamergate debate, 'Original Gamer Podcast' - Podcat". Archived from the original on August 8, 2016. Retrieved May 29, 2016.
  39. ↑ Koretzky, Michael. Over, not out. Society of Professional Journalists. 10 May 2020.
  40. ↑ Kunkel Awards - 2019 Winners. Society of Professional Journalists. 2019.
  41. ↑ Kunkel Awards - 2018 Winners. Society of Professional Journalists. 2018.
  42. ↑ Kunkel Awards - 2017 Winners. Society of Professional Journalists. 2017.
  43. ↑ Kunkel Awards - 2016 Winners. Society of Professional Journalists. 2017.
  44. ↑ Kunkel Awards - 2015 Winners. Society of Professional Journalists. 2016.
  45. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Helen Thomas Award for Lifetime Achievement - Society of Professional Journalists".
  46. ↑ SPJ board of directors votes to retire Helen Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award
  47. ↑ Retirement of Helen Thomas award upheld by convention delegates
  48. ↑ "SPJ honors David Perlman with lifetime achievement award".
  49. ↑ "Civil Rights-era journalist Robert Churchwell honored with Helen Thomas Award for Lifetime Achievement".
  50. ↑ "Caryl Rivers Honored with Helen Thomas Award for Lifetime Achievement".
  51. ↑ "Chuck Stone Honored with Helen Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award".
  52. ↑ "Stan Chambers Honored with Helen Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award".
  53. ↑ "SPJ honors Alan Walden with lifetime achievement award".
  54. ↑ "Green Eyeshade Awards | Excellence in Journalism" . Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  55. ↑ "Sunshine State Awards | SPJ Florida" . Retrieved 2023-07-31.
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