Society of Professional Journalists

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. 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.

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

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

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. In 1988, the present Society of Professional Journalists name was adopted.

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.

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. Its publication was The Quill.

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

Chapters

Main article: List of Society of Professional Journalists chapters

SPJ has had as many as 300 chapters across the United States.

Membership

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

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

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

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." No winners were announced from 2021 to 2024 but The State News, Michigan State University was awarded it in September 2025.

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. The award was folded into the Mark of Excellence Awards in 2020.

Helen Thomas Award for Lifetime Achievement

The Helen Thomas lifetime achievement award was awarded by the SPJ between 2000 and 2010. 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.

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. The Sunshine State Awards are given each year to journalists in Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

References

References

1. [http://www.thetatauarchives.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/PROFESSIONAL-FRATERNITIES_B_49.pdf Professional Fraternities by Professional Interfraternity Conference - 1950]
2. [http://www.spj.org/spjboard.asp About the SPJ: Board of Directors] at spj.org.
3. Glenn, William Meharry. (1949). "The Sigma Delta Chi Story (1909-1949)".
4. 2009 SPJ Annual Report, letter from the presidents
5. "William Meharry Glenn". Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame.
6. It is the oldest organization serving the field of journalism.{{Bairds17|pages=511-513}}
7. Shepardson, Francis Wayland, ed. ''[[hdl:2027/uc1.b3119647. 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. Aeikens, Dave. (March 3, 2009). "Join us in celebrating 100 years of SPJ at DePauw University in April".
9. [http://www.spj.org/mission.asp Society of Professional Journalists - "Our Mission"]
10. (2022). "Brand Guidelines".
11. Scire, Sarah. (September 28, 2023). "The Society of Professional Journalists faces a "dire situation"".
12. "Explore SPJ: Chapters".
13. Fu, Angela. (2023-10-04). "Facing a financial shortfall, the Society of Professional Journalists turns to its foundation for support".
14. "SPJ Code of Ethics".
15. "Eugene S. Pulliam First Amendment Award".
16. "SPJ Foundation recognizes The State News of Michigan State University with $10K Pulliam First Amendment Award".
17. (August 20, 2020). "The Post and Courier receives the Pulliam First Amendment Award".
18. (August 12, 2019). "Boston Globe receives Pulliam First Amendment Award".
19. (August 17, 2018). "Kansas City Star receives Pulliam First Amendment Award".
20. (August 7, 2017). "The Better Government Association receives Pulliam First Amendment Award".
21. (July 24, 2015). "The Columbus Dispatch, Student Press Law Center receive Pulliam First Amendment Award".
22. E&P Staff. (2014-08-18). "Associated Press Receives Pulliam First Amendment Award".
23. (August 18, 2014). "The Associated Press receives Pulliam First Amendment Award".
24. (August 5, 2013). "Three Milwaukee Journal Sentinel staffers receive Pulliam First Amendment Award".
25. (August 20, 2012). "Miami Herald staff writer receives Pulliam First Amendment Award".
26. Romenesko, Jim. (2011-08-08). "AP wins Eugene S. Pulliam First Amendment Award".
27. (August 8, 2011). "SPJ honors Associated Press staff with Pulliam First Amendment Award".
28. "Reporter Dudley wins award" October 7, * 2010 ''The Post and Courier'' retrieved November 8, * 2015
29. (August 10, 2010). "SPJ honors S.C. reporter with Pulliam First Amendment award".
30. (August 3, 2009). "Columbus Dispatch writers win Eugene S. Pulliam First Amendment Award for reporting on FERPA".
31. (August 13, 2008). "Detroit Free Press writers to receive Eugene S. Pulliam First Amendment Award for reporting on mayor".
32. (September 5, 2007). "Joe Adams to receive Eugene S. Pulliam First Amendment Award".
33. (August 9, 2006). "Terry Francke, Peter Scheer, the California First Amendment Coalition to receive Eugene S. Pulliam First Amendment Award".
34. (August 12, 2005). "Kate Martin and the Center for National Security Studies to receive Eugene S. Pulliam First Amendment Award".
35. (August 26, 2004). "Miami Court Reporter Selected for Pulliam First Amendment Award".
36. (August 7, 2003). "San Francisco Chronicle Reporter Wins Pulliam First Amendment Award".
37. (September 9, 2002). "College Media Adviser Wins Pulliam First Amendment Award".
38. (November 23, 2015). "Why some SPJ leaders are engaging Gamergate".
39. "#161 - #Gamergate debate, 'Original Gamer Podcast' - Podcat".
40. Koretzky, Michael. [https://blogs.spjnetwork.org/kunkel/2020/05/10/over-not-out Over, not out]. Society of Professional Journalists. 10 May 2020.
41. [https://www.spj.org/kunkel-winners-2019.asp Kunkel Awards - 2019 Winners]. Society of Professional Journalists. 2019.
42. [https://www.spj.org/kunkel-winners-2018.asp Kunkel Awards - 2018 Winners]. Society of Professional Journalists. 2018.
43. [https://www.spj.org/kunkel-winners-2017.asp Kunkel Awards - 2017 Winners]. Society of Professional Journalists. 2017.
44. [https://www.spj.org/kunkel-winners-2016.asp Kunkel Awards - 2016 Winners]. Society of Professional Journalists. 2017.
45. [http://www.spj.org/kunkel-winners-2015.asp Kunkel Awards - 2015 Winners]. Society of Professional Journalists. 2016.
46. "Helen Thomas Award for Lifetime Achievement - Society of Professional Journalists".
47. [https://www.spj.org/news.asp?ref=1030 SPJ board of directors votes to retire Helen Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award]
48. [https://spjdc.org/2011/12/retirement-of-helen-thomas-award-upheld-by-convention-delegates/ Retirement of Helen Thomas award upheld by convention delegates]
49. "SPJ honors David Perlman with lifetime achievement award".
50. "Civil Rights-era journalist Robert Churchwell honored with Helen Thomas Award for Lifetime Achievement".
51. "Caryl Rivers Honored with Helen Thomas Award for Lifetime Achievement".
52. "Chuck Stone Honored with Helen Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award".
53. "Stan Chambers Honored with Helen Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award".
54. "SPJ honors Alan Walden with lifetime achievement award".
55. "Green Eyeshade Awards {{!}} Excellence in Journalism".
56. "Sunshine State Awards {{!}} SPJ Florida".