Dr. Yayu Feng has been appointed to the Society of Professional Journalists’ Ethics Committee, which supports the SPJ Code of Ethics, responds to questions about ethical practice, and helps guide SPJ’s public-facing ethics resources.

The appointment comes at an important moment. As the SPJ Code of Ethics approaches its 100th anniversary in 2026, the Ethics Committee will conduct a full review and update of the Code—the first major revision since 2014. The committee will evaluate possible updates, gather examples and cases, and contribute to the development of supplementary materials that accompany the Code. By the end of 2026, the committee aims to present its recommendations for consideration by SPJ’s board.

This review marks the sixth time the Code has been revised since its original adoption in 1926. Ethical journalism is a core emphasis of our department’s work, and by working on it alongside many respected journalists and scholars, Dr. Feng will be bringing insights from this work back to our students.