Chris Vaccaro, closing out his term as the 109th president of the Society of Professional Journalists, reflects on his accomplishments as press freedom advocacy has been in the spotlight. During his term, SPJ expanded its programming, and the journalism industry continues to evolve. He is vice president of digital technology and communications for Ark Technology Consultants.
Vaccaro stepped into the role with experience spanning journalism, broadcasting, digital media and academia. His work has included writing books, producing documentaries, teaching as a professor at Hofstra University and working with media organizations. He said those experiences have also shaped his commitment to advocacy, particularly around press freedom and the First Amendment.
“I believe in things that are bigger than myself,” Vaccaro said. “I constantly attach myself to advocacy and causes that I believe and partly that reflect who I am as a person.”
That commitment eventually led him to SPJ’s national presidency after years of leadership with the Press Club of Long Island and as the organization’s Region 1 coordinator.
“I’ve been involved with the organization for 15 years,” Vaccaro said. “The next rung on the ladder” was becoming president.
When Vaccaro took office, one of his first priorities was to bring back the SPJ Leadership Institute. He said the future of SPJ depends on the people they prepare to lead it. He believes the organization has talented people across the country, but they cannot be asked to step into leadership roles without getting the tools, relationships and confidence to succeed.
He played a central role in bringing back the program designed to prepare future media leaders to serve as champions of a free press. The program had been inactive for three years, with the last iteration of the program taking place in 2023 under a different name: the Future Leaders Academy.
“Bringing back the Leadership Institute was an investment in those people and in the long-term health of the organization,” Vaccaro said. “I wanted to see a path for them in SPJ, whether that means leading a chapter, serving on a committee or eventually becoming national president.
The institute returned in July after doing the groundwork that took years to complete. Vaccaro, who participated in a former iteration of the program himself, said he also spent a lot of time raising support from both the SPJ National and the SPJ Foundation.
After years of preparation, the three-day event in Indianapolis that took place on July 17-19, 2026, brought journalists together for training and networking, and the response from attendees made the project particularly meaningful to him.
“Based on all of the commentary from the people who attended, everyone was very excited and energized following the three days that we spent in Indianapolis together,” Vaccaro said.
Vaccaro sits with Dick Vitale, a college basketball broadcaster who was named one of the SPJ 2026 Fellows of the Society. The Fellows of the Society is the highest professional honor awarded by the organization.
Photo courtesy of Chris Vaccaro.
Of the accomplishments during his presidency, Vaccaro said the Leadership Institute stands out above the rest. He also worked on expanded national programming, including the launch of SPJ SkillsFest, a free two-day digital event March 26-27, 2026, that drew 850 journalists from across the country.
Another major effort involves revising SPJ’s Code of Ethics, which has not changed since 2014. The proposal would retain the code’s four foundational principles: seek the truth and report it, minimize harm, act independently and be accountable and transparent.
The updates offer guidance on journalistic integrity, technology, misinformation, marginalized voices, conflicts of interest, source anonymity and other emerging ethical challenges, such as artificial intelligence.
While avoiding using the term “artificial intelligence” in the Code of Ethics, the proposed revisions changed some of the wording to be more human centric and highlighted that journalists are responsible for their work, not the technology or medium.
SPJ members will vote on the proposed changes during the conference. Voting closes on Sunday, Oct. 4 at 9 a.m. ET.
“While not yet enacted or voted on by the membership, the process taken to revise the SPJ Code of Ethics has been monumental and tremendous,” Vaccaro said. “We have carefully gone through that process with the membership in mind over the last year and I’m hopeful that membership votes to pass those initiatives at the national conference.”
While expanding programming was a major focus, the presidency also meant responding to the rapidly changing news cycle and advocating for journalists’ rights.
The constant need to put out statements and advocate for press freedom and First Amendment rights was one of the biggest challenges of the position, Vaccaro said.
For SPJ, Vaccaro said, advocacy requires staying engaged with events happening throughout the country and making sure the organization continues to have a voice in national conversations.
“The work still needs to be done,” he said. “The advocacy never stops.”
Traveling was another major part of Vaccaro’s presidency, as he made appearances at SPJ journalism events, schools and conferences across the country.
He said traveling allowed him to meet journalists and students throughout the country.
“I’ve made it a point to be in as many regions and as many events as possible because I was able to learn here and speak to hundreds, if not thousands of SPJ members,” he said. “That will be something I hold with me for the rest of my life.”
Those experiences also shaped Vaccaro’s perspective on what young journalists need to succeed in an evolving industry. For journalism students and young journalists entering an uncertain industry, his advice is straightforward: adapt.
“Don’t expect to do the same thing you went to school for,” Vaccaro said.
He encourages young journalists to continually learn new tools and develop the ability to tell stories across different platforms. “You have to be flexible both in your skill and your mindset because everything is changing so quickly,” Vaccaro said.
Vaccaro’s presidency is coming to an end, but he says his work with SPJ and his advocacy for journalism will not. He plans to continue mentoring members of the organization and supporting the next generation of leaders who are carrying the work of SPJ forward.
“You don’t need to hold the president’s title to make a meaningful contribution,” he said.