The Society of Environmental
Journalists (SEJ) is a non-partisan,
non-advocacy educational organization
dedicated to enhancing the quality,
accuracy and visibility of
environmental reporting. SEJ works to
further public understanding of complex
environmental issues through excellence
in environmental reporting.
SEJ generally supports
projects and events that foster
information access and educational
opportunities for environmental
journalists. Examples of these might
include educational conferences,
courses, workshops or fellowships for
journalists and journalism
students.
Any specific, formal, public
endorsement, co-sponsorship, or working
partnership for SEJ, with regard to any
specific organization, event, project
or other form of educational program is
subject to the principles and review
process outlined in this policy.
As an organization of
working journalists, SEJ maintains
strict policies to protect the ethical
integrity of our work and our
membership.
Appropriate partners for
SEJ-endorsed or co-sponsored programs
generally include journalism groups,
universities, university-based study
centers, charitable foundations,
museums and scientific research
institutions.
The SEJ board authorizes the
executive director to provide public
endorsement of any educational
opportunity for environmental
journalists that meets a standard of
excellence, conforms to this outline of
appropriate partnerships, and serves
SEJ's goals and mission.
SEJ avoids endorsements,
partnerships or co-sponsored projects
with organizations — including those
otherwise generally considered
appropriate partners for SEJ — that may
be identified with special interests on
environmental issues, such as
corporations, government agencies,
public relations firms, or
environmental advocacy groups.
Exceptions to this policy may be
authorized by the SEJ executive
committee on a case-by-case basis, at
the recommendation of the executive
director.
Decisions on such exceptions
may be made by voice or online vote of
the SEJ executive committee at any
time. If the matter has anything to do
with issues involving the work of a
board-appointed committee or task
force, including but not limited to the
First Amendment Task Force or the
Awards Committee, then the Executive
Committee shall consult with the
leadership of the relevant committee or
task force and seek concurrence. If
they do not concur, the issue will be
resolved by the full SEJ Board, which
has the final decision. Board-appointed
committees or task forces may not make
exceptions to this policy without the
approval of the Executive Committee or,
in case of a disagreement, the full SEJ
Board. Decisions by the Executive
Committee must be reported and recorded
in the minutes of the next quarterly
meeting of the full SEJ board.
Examples of exceptions might
include SEJ's endorsement, as one of a
group of co-sponsors, of an event
hosted by a journalism group or
university-based program, when that
host might also accept and list
co-sponsorship with or financial
support from corporations,
environmental groups or government
agencies. Another example for possible
exception might be for SEJ to endorse
statements or otherwise participate in
a freedom-of-information coalition
whose members might also include
advocacy groups. This type of exception
would be subject to consultation
guideline noted above.
This policy will be included
in all new board orientation materials,
posted on www.sej.org and
periodically reviewed by the executive
committee for possible amendment by the
full board.