Missouri SPJ Student Chapter Receives $1,000 Grant for Ethics Week

Charles Davis Journalism Studies Faculty

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Society of Professional Journalists

Columbia, Mo. (Feb. 20, 2006) -- The student chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists at the Missouri School of Journalism recently received a $1,000 grant to host a program for Ethics Week.

The monies will help sponsor a weeklong focus on the topic of "Seek Truth and Report It" during SPJ Ethics Week, April 24-29. This week provides an in-depth analysis at ethical issues confronted by media and its consumers. These can include the use of confidential sources by journalists, fairness and accuracy in reporting, plagiarism and fabrication cases and issues related to free press and speech issues covered by the First Amendment.

"I think the grant is a wonderful way for our entire School to take a week to focus on the many ethical issues confronting the news business. It's a nice recognition of the fine work our SPJ students are doing," said Charles Davis, chapter faculty adviser.

This is the third time the Missouri SPJ student chapter has received this grant for Ethics Week. Phil Seig, an ethicist from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisc., and Deni Elliot, a nationally recognized scholar in media ethics and founder of The Center for Ethics (formerly the Practical Ethics Center) at the University of Montana, were previous speakers.

The School's SPJ chapter is the nation's largest student chapter with 165 members.