The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) proposes revisions to its voluntary Code of Ethics, updating a document widely displayed in newsrooms. The SPJ Code is less than a thousand words and is organized around core principles that guide journalistic conduct.
Outlets report the proposed changes are the first revision since 2014. Sources describe SPJ’s effort as an “AI-era reboot,” reflecting shifts in journalism over the past decade, including new digital tools and growing use of automated or AI-assisted processes. Nieman Lab frames the move as a response to the way news production and verification practices have changed since the previous update.
Other coverage focuses on the Code’s long-standing presence and citation, presenting the revisions as an effort by editors and the organization behind the standards to keep the guidance relevant. Across reports, the emphasis is on modernizing ethics guidance while maintaining the Code’s established structure and purpose as a voluntary benchmark for journalists.
