Society of Professional Journalists San Antonio Chapter

04/13/2026

In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Society of Professional Journalists' Code of Ethics, the San Antonio pro chapter hosted an Ethics Panel this afternoon at UT San Antonio. An exciting bunch of aspiring journalists and communication arts students learned from some of the best!

Thank you to our respected and trusted panel: Nancy Martinez Preyor-Johnson with the San Antonio Express-News, Daniela Ibarra with KSAT, Joey Palacios from Texas Public Radio, Arelis R. Hernandez with the Washington Post and Edgar Sandoval with the New York Times. And of course, Randy Beamer with KLRN for being our moderator.

We look forward to hosting more of these with local colleges in San Antonio!

04/12/2026

Thank you to everyone who honored, raised a tequila shot and remembered the legendary Diana R. “DeeDee” Fuentes.

Many shared memories of her meticulous edits, her love for mariachi and her amazing gift of being present in everyone’s lives.

May she live through all of us as we continue to tell stories, spread joy and be kind.

And, as she would say, “Un abrazo for everyone.”

03/24/2026

“She knew the news business from the ground up — literally, from the press room to the editor-in-chief’s office and every step in between. She had done it all, and brilliantly,” said Marc Duvoisin, editor-in-chief of the San Antonio Express-News. “Yet she was utterly without pretense, generous toward colleagues and always fun to be around. She viewed her expertise as a gift to be shared freely. I learned something from her every day.”

Diana R. 'DeeDee' Fuentes rose as a national figure among Hispanic journalists and had a calming effect on colleagues.

03/23/2026

Hello friends, just a quick update about services for Diana R. “DeeDee” Fuentes. While we still don’t have a time for the services, we can share that they will be in Del Rio. There will be a viewing Friday and the services will be Saturday morning. We will share the time as soon as the family confirms it. A memorial service in San Antonio is also being planned for a later date.

Meanwhile, the family shared that they are planning to wear something red in honor of DeeDee and encourage others to do the same.

They have set up a scholarship at Texas State University, where DeeDee taught and recently obtained her master’s degree. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, folks can donate to the Diana Fuentes Memorial Scholarship, link in the comments.

Additionally, Investigative Reporters & Editors have nominated DeeDee to their Hall of Fame. If you would like to donate to that campaign, you can also find that link in the comments.

03/21/2026

It is with extreme sadness that I share the news that our dear friend Diana “DeeDee” Fuentes has passed away. I don’t have many details to share, but it was sudden and unexpected. Her family says they will share services as soon as they are set.

For those of you who knew DeeDee, I share your grief. DeeDee was an amazing woman, journalist and friend. She had a heart of gold and was probably the nicest person I’ve ever known. She would help anyone who needed help, friends, colleagues and complete strangers, too, like the homeless who walked around the Express-News offices downtown. DeeDee knew them by name. And don’t even get me started on how many animals she rescued and fed. She was the kind of person who carried food and water for any strays she might encounter.

But her lasting legacy will be the many, many journalists she mentored and edited in her long career as a reporter and later as an editor. She rose into big leadership roles, including editor at the Laredo Morning Times and editor/publisher at the Del Rio News Herald. She helped jumpstart many aspiring journalists careers. She was also managing editor at the Beaumont Enterprise and deputy editor at the Express-News, where she retired in 2021. She went on to become the Executive Director of Investigative Reporters & Editors.

She was very active in a number of journalism organizations, including the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, Texas Managing Editors, the San Antonio Association of Hispanic Journalists and the Society of Professional Journalists-San Antonio Pro Chapter. As part of the SPJ board, she was very active in pulling together the Gridrion program.

I have in no way done justice in the above post to this amazing colega and friend. She is a legend and will be greatly missed.

- Nora Lopez, President of Society of Professional Journalists San Antonio Chapter

01/15/2026

SPJ strongly condemns the FBI’s decision to execute a search warrant at the home of Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson — despite acknowledging she is not the target of the investigation.

In response to past abuses, Congress enacted the Privacy Protection Act of 1980, which sharply limits the government’s ability to search journalists’ homes or seize their materials. The law recognizes a simple truth: journalism cannot serve the public if reporters are treated as investigative proxies for their sources.

Internal Department of Justice policy changes do not override federal law. They do not negate decades of legal precedent. And they do not justify treating lawful newsgathering as suspicious conduct.

Press freedom isn’t a courtesy — it’s the law.

🔗 Read the full statement: https://bit.ly/4qTiUsg

10/28/2025

We’ve got headlines worth celebrating — more than $30,000 raised ! 🥳

Thank you to everyone who helped make it happen — our community truly makes a difference. 💙📰

10/24/2025

SPJ has issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to support the Dori J. Maynard Diversity Fellowship program for minority newsroom leaders. Rumors have been circulating that the program was abolished, prompting some folks to resign from SPJ.

Here's what the Society says: https://www.spj.org/spj-statement-on-dori-j-maynard-diversity-fellowship-program/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=societyofprofessionaljournalists&utm_content=spjpromo&fbclid=IwY2xjawNovIlleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF3MFhXa1dqdHJJcTBkZFdBAR4759BR8YWuijmmbwboiVw2UZgo-T87tXarOA1M7rsndH81rDs_S6uPslSjnQ_aem_c9LV0YKRrB9K_9H-A2-mAw

- ADVERTISEMENT - The Society of Professional Journalists’ commitment to diversity and inclusion is as strong as ever. Contrary to recent posts on social media, the Dori J. Maynard Diversity Leadership Program has not been canceled. Recent posts circulating online contain inaccurate information ab...