SPJ logo, taken from a cropped photo of a sign at the Region 10 SPJ Conference, March 2006

The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ, formerly known as Sigma Delta Chi) is one of the oldest organizations representing journalists in the United States, debuting in 1909. Image File history File links Spj_logo. ... Image File history File links Spj_logo. ... This does not cite any references or sources. ...

Its stated mission 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. The first ten Amendments to the U.S. Constitution make up the Bill of Rights. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Freedom Freedom of the press (or press freedom) is the guarantee by a government of free public press for its citizens and their associations, extended to members of news gathering organizations, and their published reporting. ... Journalism is a discipline of gathering, writing and reporting news, and more broadly it includes the process of editing and presenting the news articles. ... Diversity The division of classes among a certain population. ...

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. The Sigma Delta Chi Awards are presented annually by the Society of Professional Journalists for excellence in journalism. ...

It has also drawn up a Code of Ethics [1] aims to ensure that journalists perform their work while adhering to high standards of behavior and decision-making.

The organization helped foster the creation of The American Reporter, the first electronic internet-only newspaper. The American Reporter is the first on-line only newspaper. ...

External links

• Society of Professional Journalists
• Council of National Journalism Organizations
• "Fast Facts" on SPJ