The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) is revising its Code of Ethics, a voluntary guide for news professionals first published more than a century ago and last updated in 2014. The update aims to reflect changes in modern journalism, including the growing use of artificial intelligence.
News outlets describe the code as a short, easily displayed document in newsrooms, often posted in accessible places. In previous decades, the SPJ code has served as a reference point for ethical reporting practices. The reported reboot keeps the code’s role as a voluntary standard while refreshing its guidance to address contemporary challenges.
Across coverage, the emphasis is on timing and purpose rather than controversy: the revisions are presented as an update process led by editors and the professional organization, seeking to ensure the code remains relevant in an AI-era media environment. The sources align on the organization involved, the history of the code, and that this is the first update since 2014.
