The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) is a broad-based organization that aims to improve and protect journalism and is based in Indianapolis, IN. It seeks to help journalists live up to important principles of journalism, protect freedom of information and of expression, promote adherence to ethical principles, provide opportunities for professional development, and encourage diversity in coverage and staffing at all levels of the profession.

SPJ has about 10,000 members who belong to three different categories: (1) print, radio, television, and online journalists; (2) students interested in journalism as a career; and (3) journalism educators. It was founded in 1909 as the journalism fraternity Sigma Delta Chi by a group of 10 students at DePauw University in Greencastle, IN, who were interested in journalism careers. SPJ’s ...