Advocacy

SPJ/LA works to ensure that journalists in Southern California can perform their jobs unimpeded -- covering protests, attending court hearings, monitoring government proceedings and providing other vital news coverage. Our chapter believes in supporting journalists who are in need and, when necessary, teaming up with other news organizations to ensure our voices are clearly heard.   

 

Examples of SPJ/LA advocacy and community involvement include:

  • A national coalition of 25 organizations sent a letter to Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell and Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna condemning the use of “less than lethal” weapons against journalists as they cover protests against ICE operations. Read more.

  • During the mass anti-ICE protests in June 2025, SPJ/LA stood in support of the journalists who were being harassed, confronted, and having their equipment damaged or destroyed by both protesters and law enforcement. We called on all members of the public—demonstrators and law enforcement—to respect the role of the press and ensure that journalists can do their jobs without threat or harm. Read more.

  • SPJ/LA strongly urged Los Angeles Times publisher Patrick Soon-Shiong to reconsider and reverse his decision to forego a Times presidential endorsement. Read more.

  • A coalition of 20 press rights and civil liberties organizations, called on California officials to operate with maximum transparency and respect the role of the press in observing and documenting sweeps of homeless encampments. Read more.

  • SPJ/LA released a statement on behalf of the treatment of student journalists covering protests on their campus. Read more.

  • Calling on L.A. County District Attorney Jackie Lacey to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of excessive force abuses locally, including those committed against working journalists. Read more.

  • SPJ/LA donated $10,000 to the 8-Ball Welfare Foundation to provide emergency relief to journalists facing economic pressures due to COVID-19. Read more.

  • SPJ/LA called on Hon. David O. Carter, Judge of the District Court for the Central District of California, to reverse his judicial order excluding members of the media from covering the matter of LA Alliance for Human Rights et al v. City of Los Angeles et al.

  • SPJ/LA called on SPJ National’s board of directors to return sponsorship money provided by Fox News for the Excellence in Journalism (EIJ) conference.

  • AB 700 was pulled following protests from SPJ/LA, the California Newspaper Publishers Association, the ACLU, and other journalism organizations and open-government advocates.

  • The Greater Los Angeles Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists joined an amicus brief filed by the Reporters Committee For Freedom of the Press on behalf of the Palisades News and two of its editors, who have been sued by cannabis entrepreneur Stephanie Smith for alleged defamation.

  • SPJ/LA in coordination with ONA/LA hosted an online harassment self-defense training for journalists, facilitated by PEN America. Read more.