EOTO Reflection: SPJ

          

 Journalism has undergone significant changes over the years. Many people today are united in communities that support innovation and promote free expression. But it was not always like this.

Journalism was not as easily accessible as it is today, and the media coverage that people did receive was oftentimes misrepresented. There were a lot of injustices that took place, which restricted journalists from honing their craft.

Things began to shift when a group of ten college students interested in pursuing jobs within the journalism field formed what is now known today as the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ). These students banded together in an effort to enforce high journalistic standards and inspire others to participate.

The Society of Professional Journalists is a professional organization of journalists in the United States. 

Sigma Delta Chi, the organization's original name, was founded on April 17, 1909, at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. However, in 1988, it changed its name to the Society of Professional Journalists to better reflect its mission and membership.

The SPJ is dedicated to protecting the free flow of information, maintaining high standards of ethical journalism, and fostering excellence in journalism. This organization strives to improve journalism and encourage the practice.

The SPJ also works to promote freedom of the press and the public's right to know through the First Amendment. It advocates for strong journalism, supports efforts to improve media literacy, and promotes ethical reporting practices.

The SPJ has a code of ethics that outlines the principles and values that journalists should uphold at all times such as truth and accountability.

The timeline of SPJ’s development indicates significant professional growth. For starters, in 1916, it changed from an honorary to a professional fraternity. Then, it became recognized as a professional society in 1960. Nine years later, the SPJ admitted its first female member into the society.

Although the SPJ is known for a variety of things, two of their biggest contributions to journalism include Project Watchdog and Project Sunshine, both of which are still active today.

Project Watchdog was a campaign that centered on educating the public about free press, whereas Project Sunshine was a program that aimed to pick out and fight against threats to public access.