Blue Ribbon panel to begin ‘transparent, inclusive process to strengthen journalism’s most influential ethics code’
Above: SPJ’s current Code of Ethics, last revised in 2014.
The Society of Professional Journalists’ board voted Nov. 14 to empower the SPJ Ethics Committee to review and recommend updates to the SPJ Code of Ethics as the nation’s most-cited journalism ethics code marks its 100th anniversary in 2026, the Society announced in a Nov. 17 statement.
“By the end of 2026, the committee aims to present its recommendations for consideration by SPJ’s board,” the statement said. “If SPJ’s board approves the proposed Code changes, the Society’s members would also vote on them.”
“The committee aims to update the Code’s interactive online version, too. It will include new links to resources offering supplementary guidance and ethics case studies,” the statement continued.
Any revision would be the sixth for the SPJ Code of Ethics for the sixth time since 1926, when the Society first adopted the now-defunct American Society of News Editors’ Code of Ethics. SPJ revised its Code in 1973, 1984, 1987, 1996 and 2014.
“The committee will consider input from anyone who wants to improve the SPJ Code of Ethics, and conduct the Code revision effort transparently and inclusively,” the statement said. “The committee will also seek feedback from special advisors, including former members of the ethics committee, long-time SPJ leaders, and other prominent media ethicists.”
SPJ: Phoenix, Arizona Chapter 