Indiana Pro SPJ Chapter Urges State Lawmakers to Keep Critical Funding for Indiana Public Broadcasting in Budget

The Indiana Pro Chapter of SPJ recognizes the critical work done by the state’s public media journalists. In Indiana, 95% of Hoosiers are served by public media. They rely on this essential services that provides weather emergencies, helps young children develop new skills, keeps Hoosiers connected to their communities, and shares important updates from the state such as the governor’s annual address. The Indiana Pro SPJ Chapter sent this letter to lawmakers ahead of the budget vote on April 25, 2025.

Judge Grants Injunction Against Indiana's So-Called "Buffer Law"

The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and a coalition of plaintiffs that includes the Indiana Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, secured a preliminary injunction in the state’s so-called “Buffer Law.” 

U.S. Southern District Court Judge James R. Sweeney II found the 25-foot Buffer Law is unconstitutionally vague. 

“Simply being within twenty-five feet of a police officer is not a crime, and indeed, important First Amendment rights are regularly exercised within twenty-five feet of law enforcement every single day,” Sweeney said. 

The Buffer Law went into effect in 2023 despite strong objection from private citizens, members of the media and organizations including the ACLU.  

In his decision, Sweeney wrote “Plaintiffs have shown that they are likely to succeed on their claim that the Buffer Law is void for vagueness and therefore unconstitutional.”

Sweeney granted the injunction September 27. 

The Indiana Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists applauds this action.  

Click here to read the judge’s decision.

Indiana Pro SPJ Chapter Announces A-Mark Prize for Investigative Journalism

The Indiana Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists is pleased to announce the Best in Indiana Journalism A-Mark Prize for Investigative Journalism. Winners will be awarded prizes totaling $15,000.

The Indiana Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists has partnered with the A-Mark Foundation to honor the state’s best investigative journalism. The goal of this new award is to reward and promote topnotch journalists and encourage more to dig deeper into the stories impacting Indiana communities. Awards will be presented at the yearly Best in Indiana banquet. You can read more about how to enter and the prizes on our awards site here.

Decision 2024 — Key Tips on Covering Elections

On September 17, a panel of journalists gave their expert advice on covering politics, politicians, and elections in the current landscape. If you missed, you can watch the event here.

SPJ board member Lisa Green, managing editor at the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, put together a best practices list for journalists when it comes to covering the election. You can download that document here.

Below are some key takeaways from the conversation with Dan Spehler, Dave McKinney, Niki Kelly, and Oseye Boyd.

SPJ EVENT: Responsibly reporting on issues affecting trans people

On June 13th, Indiana Pro SPJ and the Trans Journalists Association partnered for a free, virtual panel discussion about how to responsibly report on issues affecting trans people. Below are links of resources from panelists.

Resources and advice referenced during the panel:

More recommended resources: 

Coverage by and/or recommended by panelists: 

Indiana Pro SPJ honors 2023 Best in Indiana Journalism

At its annual awards banquet on April 26, 2024, the Indiana Pro SPJ chapter honored the best Indiana journalists from across the state. Top honors went to journalists of The Indianapolis Star, WFYI, and the Indiana Daily Student.

Dan Byron and the Indiana Public Access Counselor’s Office were awarded special honors for their contributions to journalism.

Students from Indiana University and Butler University received the chapter’s scholarships.

You can read more about the awards and see a full list of winners in the awards winners section.

SPJ Hosts Statewide Cameras in the Courtroom Discussion

On April 26, 2023, the Indiana Professional SPJ Board hosted a Facebook live discussion about Indiana’s new rule allowing cameras in Indiana courtrooms. Bob Donaldson, of CBS4, moderated the conversation and shared questions from our journalists watching online.

The panel included :

  • Judge Marc Rothenberg, Marion Superior Court

  • Retired Judge Marianne Vorhees, Delaware Circuit Court

  • Kathryn Dolan, Chief Public Information Officer, Indiana Supreme Court

  • Amanda Wishin, Supervising Attorney, Indiana Office of Court Services

  • David Kuhnz, Staff Attorney, Office of Communication, Education, & Outreach, Indiana Supreme Court

You can watch the full discussion on our Indiana Pro SPJ Facebook page.