Society of Professional Journalists

✨The first wave of #SPJ26 speakers and sessions is here — and there’s more to come. Join us Oct. 1-4 at the Hilton Columbus Downtown. ➡️ View the current lineup, register and reserve your hotel today: spj26.org

Service to SPJ deserves recognition.✨ Apply for a Terry Harper Memorial Scholarship to attend #SPJ26 with support for registration, hotel and travel. ✅Applicants must be SPJ members for at least one year. ➡️Learn more and apply by Aug. 3: bit.ly/4fUGqkX

💪💡Learn about #GeorgiaKnowsMedia, @SPJGeorgia's new statewide media literacy campaign! Get certified as a trainer in this hands-on program and help engage your local community. 📧Email spjgeorgia@gmail.com to sign up. ✅Open to all SPJmembers.

SPJ commends the @TheJusticeDept’s decision to withdraw subpoenas targeting @nytimes. While this is an important step for press freedom, Congress must pass a federal shield law to ensure journalists and their sources have lasting protections. 🔗Read more: bit.ly/4fuJ2pn

SPJ joins a coalition urging @whca to condemn attacks on press freedom at Friday’s rescheduled dinner. The renewed call builds on the coalition’s April petition to the WHCA, which has since doubled its number of signatories. 🔗Read the full letter: bit.ly/4fnslvP

We’re grateful to have brought together such an inspiring group of leaders who are committed to advancing SPJ’s mission. Their dedication and commitment will help strengthen the future of SPJ, our profession and the communities we serve.✨ (3/3)

Through leadership development, governance training and scenario-based workshops, participants built skills to lead at the chapter, regional and national levels while gaining tools to advocate for press freedom and responsible journalism. (2/3)

🎉Congratulations to the 2026 SPJ Leadership Institute class on completing the three-day program and earning their certificates! (1/3)

SPJ’s relaunched Leadership Institute, held July 17-19, brought together members from 14 states for leadership development focused on advocacy, governance and strengthening journalism. 📚Read more in SPJ National President @ChrisVaccaro’s latest column: bit.ly/4yBKE9y

This weekend, we officially brought back something I have been preaching about for years: The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Leadership Institute. This was an investment in the future of the SPJ. Strong organizations aren't sustained by a single president, board or generation of leaders. They thrive because people continually step forward with a willingness to serve, lead and leave the organization better than they found it. About 15 years ago, I attended the SPJ-Scripps Leadership Institute. The lessons I learned and the relationships I built continue to shape my SPJ leadership today as National President. Bringing this program back has been one of my highest priorities because I know firsthand the impact it can have. Throughout the weekend, an incredible group of emerging leaders from 14 states across the country challenged ideas, discussed the future of journalism, explored chapter growth, programming, press freedom and organizational strategy, and most importantly, developed individual Leadership Action Plans that they can now take back to their communities. My opening message centered on servant leadership. This is purely about serving something greater: our members, our profession, the First Amendment and the future of journalism. I'm grateful to our outstanding presenters, facilitators and participants who made this weekend such a success, and especially to Executive Director Caroline Hendrie, Associate Executive Director Jennifer Royer, Professional Learning Manager Justin Paprocki and Membership & Events Manager Chrystal O'Keefe for making the relaunch possible. The Society of Professional Journalists has endured for more than 117 years because every generation invested in the next one. Now it's our turn. The Leadership Institute is back. And so is our commitment to building the next generation of SPJ leaders. Here's to the future! 🇺🇸 #SPJ #Leadership #Journalism #PressFreedom #FirstAmendment

✨Freelance SPJ members can apply to receive a grant of up to $500 to help cover the cost of attending #SPJ26, Oct. 1-4 in Columbus, Ohio. ✅Open to Pro, Post-Grad & Retired members earning 25%+ of their income from freelance work. ⏰Apply by Aug. 15: bit.ly/4fjazdc

SPJ joins a coalition of more than 50 organizations, led by @RSF_inter and @SafeguardDefend, in calling on Thai authorities to refrain from forcibly returning detained Chinese journalist Bai Zhaodong to China. 🔗Read the full letter: bit.ly/4vzkzVK

SPJ & the SPJ International Community strongly oppose a new @DHSgov rule ending “duration of status” for international journalists working in the United States on I visas. The rule is set to take effect in 60 days unless Congress acts. 🔗Full statement: bit.ly/4w9g7hz

📢One day left to apply for The SPJ News! SPJ will select 10 college students to cover sessions, speakers & breaking news while working alongside professional journalists at SPJ26 Oct. 1-4 in Columbus, Ohio. 📝Learn more & apply by 11:59 p.m. EDT Friday: bit.ly/4w9NOjd

SPJ renews its call for stronger legal protections for journalists after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to halt sanctions against @C__Herridge for refusing to reveal a confidential source. She faces an $800-per-day fine unless she discloses her source. ➡️bit.ly/3RfO7tm

✨Congratulations to Melissa Dai of @NorthwesternU and @IMidwest, winner of the 2025 MOEy Best in Show Award, the highest honor in SPJ’s Mark of Excellence Awards. 🔗Read Dai’s winning work: bit.ly/4fdvuyf

Following the @TheJusticeDept’s subpoena of four @nytimes reporters, SPJ is calling on the Justice Department to withdraw efforts to compel disclosure of confidential sources and urging Congress to strengthen protections for journalists. 🔗Full statement: bit.ly/4ylPiIr

🏆SPJ announced the 2025 SDX Awards winners, recognizing excellence in professional journalism. The ceremony also honored college journalism with the Corbin Gwaltney Award for Best Student Newspaper & MOEy Best in Show, SPJ’s top Mark of Excellence honor: bit.ly/4wBO4Hh

✨Tonight’s the night! Join us at 8 p.m. EDT as we announce the winners of the 2025 Sigma Delta Chi Awards, celebrating excellence in professional journalism across print/online, audio, television & more. ➡️ Stream live or view on the SPJ YouTube channel: bit.ly/4ycmxht

San Diego SPJ mourns the loss of Kelly Davis, a fierce voice for the vulnerable and our beloved friend. Our hearts go out to her family and close friends and all the lives Kelly lifted up. spjsandiego.org/2026/07/02/san… @spj_tweets