The Code of Ethics for the Society of Professional Journalists states that ethical journalism is truthful, compassionate, independent and transparent. It also calls on journalists to uphold high standards – and that’s a responsibility that requires knowing when to say no.

SPJ Ethics Week is April 14-18, 2025. To help promote the Code of Ethics’ ideals, the SPJ Colorado Pro Chapter is presenting an online forum entitled: “When — and How — to Say No.” And you’re invited to take part.

The live webinar panel on Zoom, open to all, will be held Thursday, April 17, 2025, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

To take part, CLICK HERE to register.

As SPJ Colorado members know, there is nothing more essential to journalists than relationships with their sources. Those relationships are necessary to get news and features to the public. Behind the scenes, they’re governed by ethics.

Sometimes along the way, journalists are offered perks, like free travel, paid meals, and more, and they are asked to create stories by sources that may not fit with the news outlet’s guidelines. At other times, they must decide how to handle “content” offered by people whose job it is to get ink or airtime for their employer.

An esteemed panel with deep experience in Colorado journalism will explore the tensions involved in getting the story while maintaining ethical standards.

Who’s it for?

• This is an event for all journalists, particularly young and small-market journalists and students. You’ll be able to ask questions of the panel.

Moderator:

• Michael de Yoanna – Managing editor of the Mountain West News Bureau, a collaboration of KUNC and other public media stations serving western states, and a veteran newsroom leader and investigative reporter who has won two national Edward R. Murrow Awards, a duPont-Columbia Silver Baton and an SPJ Sigma Delta Chi Award.

Panelists:

• Tamara Banks – An Emmy- and Telly Award-winning TV journalist, talk-show host and documentary filmmaker working in Denver and around the world, now based in Atlanta, and a former Denver mayoral advisor.
• Erin McIntyre – co-owner, co-publisher and co-editor of the Ouray County Plaindealer in Colorado, winner of the Keeper of the Flame award from SPJ Colorado and the Jean Otto Friend of Freedom Award from the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition.
• Elliott Wenzler – The Denver city government reporter for The Denver Post and formerly a reporter for The Colorado Sun, several Western Slope papers, and Colorado Community Media.
• Lucas Brady Woods – The government and politics reporter at KUNC public radio and former news director at KSJD in Montezuma County, Colorado.

We also invite you to join SPJ Colorado to be a part of a journalistic community that upholds standards of excellence and ethics. Through April, we’re offering free chapter membership if you join national SPJ. CLICK HERE to learn how.