SPJ NorCal successfully opposes harmful CPRA bill
Lawmakers wanted to let agencies sue you for submitting records requests that they didn’t like. We fought back and won. A California lawmaker introduced a bill this year that threatened…
Federal judge blocks Modesto PPE ban that put journalists at risk of arrest
Modesto can no longer arrest you for protecting yourself at protests. We took our fight for a free press to federal court after the Modesto City Council refused to repeal…
SPJ NorCal champions 911 transparency bill that now heads to governor
ICE detention center transparency bill heads to governor The California Legislature this week passed the Detention Facility Transparency Act, an important public records bill now headed to the governor's desk.…
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: James Madison Freedom of Information Awards For 2025 Achievements
SPJ NorCal’s Freedom of Information Committee is now accepting nominations for the 41st Annual James Madison Awards for 2025 achievements. DEADLINE: Sunday, January 4, 2026, at 11:59 p.m., Pacific time.…
Freedom of Information Committee Warns Against Defanging Sunshine Ordinance Task Force
San Francisco’s Sunshine Ordinance Task Force is at risk of being defanged and, without an assertive vote from the Board of Supervisors, disbanded. Last month, the city’s Commission Streamlining Task…
SPJ NorCal Honors 2025 Excellence in Journalism Award Winners
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025 CONTACT: Laura Wenus at 650-996-3112 or spjnorcal@gmail.com, or Ben Trefny at 415-290-2421 * * * * * SAN FRANCISCO — The Society of…
SPJ NorCal Statement on Shasta County Registrar of Voters’ Targeting of Shasta Scout
The Northern California chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists denounces the Shasta County Registrar of Voters’ targeting of Shasta Scout and urges the Registrar to immediately restore the publication’s…
SPJ NorCal Mourns the Loss of Pioneering Journalist Belva Davis
The Society of Professional Journalists Northern California chapter is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Belva Davis. She was 92 years old. Davis broke the color barrier in…
SPJ NorCal 2025 Excellence in Journalism Awards Contest
DEADLINE EXTENDED: Friday, Sept. 12, 2025 Contact: spjnorcal@gmail.com / Ida Mojadad 415-735-6965 Know a journalist who has done brilliant work over the past year? Someone who does whatever it takes…
SPJ NorCal launches fundraiser for incarcerated journalists at San Quentin
The San Quentin Media Fest, showcasing work from incarcerated and previously incarcerated journalists, kicked off SPJ NorCal's fundraiser for its satellite chapter on Saturday, Aug. 16. If you missed the…