External Policies

EDITORIAL INDEPENDENCE

The Investigative Reporting Program at UC Berkeley Journalism retains full authority over editorial content to protect the journalistic and business interests. We maintain a firewall between news coverage decisions and revenue sources. Acceptance of financial support does not constitute implied or actual endorsement of donors or their products, services or opinions.

We accept gifts, grants and sponsorships from individuals and organizations for the general support of our activities, but our news judgments are made independently and not on the basis of donor support.

The IRP may consider donations to support the coverage of particular topics, but our organization maintains editorial control of the coverage. We will cede no right of review or influence of editorial content, nor of unauthorized distribution of editorial content.

The IRP will make public all donors who give a total of $5,000 or more per year. We will only accept anonymous donations if we can ensure that decisions on how we use those funds can be made independently by the IRP and in compliance with the Institute of Nonprofit News’ Membership Standards.

This statement was adapted from language created by INN.

DONOR TRANSPARENCY

We are committed to transparency in every aspect of funding our organization.

Accepting financial support does not mean we endorse donors or their products, services or opinions.

We accept gifts, grants and sponsorships from individuals, organizations and foundations to help with our general operations, coverage of specific topics and special projects. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates as a public trust, we do not pay certain taxes. We may receive funds from standard government programs offered to nonprofits or similar businesses.

Our news judgments are made independently – not based on or influenced by donors or any revenue source. We do not give supporters the rights to assign, review or edit content.

Our organization will make public all donors who give a total of $5,000 or more per year. We will accept anonymous donations for general or reporting support only if it is clear that sufficient safeguards have been put into place that the expenditure of that donation is made independently by our organization and in compliance with INN’s Membership Standards.

We will not accept donations from sources who, deemed by our editorial leadership, present a conflict of interest with our work or compromise our independence.

This statement was adapted from language created by INN.

PREVENTING STAFF AND ADVISORY BOARD CONFLICT-OF-INTEREST

Founded in 1909, the Society of Professional Journalists is the nation’s most broad-based journalism organization, dedicated to encouraging the free practice of journalism and stimulating high standards of ethical behavior. All IRP staff and advisory board members are expected to abide by the Society for Professional Journalists Code of Ethics.

To avoid conflicts of interest or the perception of a conflict of interest, IRP staff members should be stalwart in their commitment to independence.

Per the SPJ Code of Ethics on independence and avoiding conflict of interest, the IRP staff should:

  • Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived. Disclose unavoidable conflicts.
  • Refuse gifts, favors, fees, free travel and special treatment, and avoid political and other outside activities that may compromise integrity or impartiality, or may damage credibility.
  • Be wary of sources offering information for favors or money; do not pay for access to news. Identify content provided by outside sources, whether paid or not.
  • Deny favored treatment to advertisers, donors or any other special interests, and resist internal and external pressure to influence coverage.
  • Distinguish news from advertising and shun hybrids that blur the lines between the two. Prominently label sponsored content.

This statement was adapted from language created by INN Member Bridge Michigan.

CORRECTIONS

IRP is committed to correcting any errors fully and in a timely fashion. Reporters should notify an editor immediately about any request/demand for a correction or clarification. The IRP will work with our publishing partners to respond as urgently as possible to correct or clarify information we deem to be inaccurate or potentially misleading.

This statement is adapted from language created by INN member CalMatters.