OutFAU, the LGBTQ+ student publication at Florida Atlantic University and a product of OutSFL, has earned second place in the Society of Professional Journalists’ (SPJ) 2025 Spread Immoral News (SIN) competition.
“I’m very happy that OutFAU won second place! Raising awareness for ethics in journalism is extremely important,” said OutFAU Executive Editor CJ Walden. “The team and I had a lot of fun trying to violate the entire code of ethics. I’m very proud of everyone’s hard work.”
The SIN contest, part of SPJ’s Ethics Week, challenges student journalists to produce a satirical issue intentionally violating the SPJ Code of Ethics.
OutFAU’s April edition featured fabricated stories and misleading headlines, each article included the specific ethical breaches.
In addition, the issue reprinted SPJ’s entire code of ethics, often considered the gold standard for journalism ethics.
The aim of the contest is to provoke thought and discussion about journalistic standards and the critical role ethics play in credible reporting.
As the cover of the edition noted, “this issue is real fake news - for a good reason.”
Jason Parsley, publisher of OutSFL and immediate past president of SPJ Florida, had this to say.
“This creative endeavor allowed students to explore journalism ethics in a hands-on way,” he said. “By intentionally breaking the rules, they gained a deeper understanding of the importance of ethical standards and helped educate our readers on what responsible journalism truly means.”
Not everyone in SPJ, though, liked the contest.
“We understand that the program has been successful in the past, but times have changed,” wrote nine former SPJ leaders in an open letter to the SPJ’s board of directors. “Have you considered how it will affect SPJ’s reputation?”
Others referred to the contest as “crass,” “sad,” “bonkers,” “reckless,” “irresponsible,” and “tone-deaf.”
Michael Koretzky, the chair of the contest, pushed back on the backlash.
“Journalists who condemn a program before they ask questions? They’re as hypocritical as doctors who smoke and financial advisers who gamble. People hate journalists because they’re humorless hypocrites who take themselves way too seriously,” he told The Nutgraf, a weekly newsletter focused on student journalism.
First place went to the Arkansas Traveler, and third place went to the Eastern Echo in Michigan. First place came with a $500 cash prize, but after the three finalists were announced, one SPJ regional coordinator was so impressed that she offered $250 each to the second and third-place finalists.
OutFAU is a monthly publication during the school year. It launched in January 2024 and within months had already won third place for Best Newspaper in the Apple awards at the College Media Association’s annual conference.
OutFAU is seeking sponsors to support its ongoing mission of fostering inclusive student journalism. Interested parties can reach out via email at
