Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, The Society of Professional Journalists is the nation's largest and most broad-based journalism association, with more than 10,000 members nationwide. The Society is a not-for-profit, voluntary association with a membership of professionals and students engaged in every area of journalism.

For more than 95 years, SPJ has been dedicated to encouraging a climate in which journalism can be practiced freely and fully, stimulating high standards of ethical behavior in the practice of journalism, and perpetuating a free press as the cornerstone of our nation and our liberty.

To ensure that the concept of self-government outlined by the U.S. Constitution remains a reality into future centuries, the American people must be well informed in order to make decisions regarding their lives, and their local and national communities.

It is the role of journalists to provide this information in an accurate, comprehensive, timely and understandable manner.

It is the mission of the Society of Professional Journalists:

• To promote this flow of information.
• To maintain constant vigilance in protection of the First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and of the press.
• To stimulate high standards and ethical behavior in the practice of journalism.
• To foster excellence among journalists.
• To inspire successive generations of talented individuals to become dedicated journalists.
• To encourage diversity in journalism.
• To be the pre-eminent, broad-based membership organization for journalists.
• To encourage a climate in which journalism can be practiced freely.

More available at the SPJ National web site, www.spj.org.