Press Club of Long Island

PRESS CLUB OF LONG ISLAND is a professional chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. We’re devoted to protecting and advocating for First Amendment rights, furthering ethical standards and providing ongoing training for our members.

PCLI, one of SPJ’s largest pro chapters, hosts two signature events: an annual Holiday Show and Party in December and an awards dinner honoring the best in local journalism in June.

The club was founded in 1974 in response to a reporter who was jailed for failing to reveal a source. The club’s first president, Karl Grossman, says the founders borrowed a media list from a local P.R. firm, sent letters to members of the press.

More than fifty journalists showed up for an historic first meeting at the Three Village Inn in Stony Brook. PCLI not only gave journalists a place where they could connect, but more importantly promoted journalism advocacy.

During its first year, PCLI adopted a constitution and operated for several years as an independent organization before joining SPJ.