Membership Standards
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Strengthening Journalism & Building Public Trust
Nonprofit Media is a network of 500 nonprofit newsrooms that provide independent, fact-based public-service journalism. Members follow clear standards for editorial quality, independence, and transparency.
Core Standards
Editorial Excellence
Original, fact-based reporting that serves community needs.
Editorial Independence
Newsrooms do not accept influence from advocacy groups, funders, or any external pressure.
Transparency
Clear public disclosure of major funders, leadership, policies, and ethics.
Why It Matters
These standards build public trust and demonstrate credibility to funders and media partners.
How They’re Shaped
Nonprofit Media’s guidelines align with industry best practices, SPJ ethics, and other trust-based frameworks.
Deep Dive Into the Standards
Non Profit Media Guidelines
Non Profit Media members commit to high-quality journalism, public trust, and full transparency.
Editorial Quality
Members focus on original reporting, clearly label opinion vs news, separate ads, post correction policies, allow public feedback, list board/staff info, share diversity and values statements, and have editors overseeing coverage.
Independence
Members publish an editorial independence policy, remain nonpartisan, avoid policy advocacy, label any contributed or promotional content, disclose conflicts, and operate as true nonprofits (501(c)(3) or full fiscal sponsorship).
Transparency
Members publicly list major donors, keep anonymous funding minimal, share policies for anonymous and government support, and ensure funding never influences coverage.
Who sets Nonprofit Media standards, and why
Nonprofit Media members follow high standards for ethics, independence, and transparency.
Founded to share investigative reporting based on shared principles, members continue to collaborate and distribute news while maintaining editorial independence.
Guidelines are updated annually by staff, board, and a Standards Task Force of experienced nonprofit journalists.
In today’s digital world, these standards help the public verify credibility, understand who produces the news, and trust the reporting. Members produce independent, fact-based journalism that informs and educates, without advocacy or political goals.
High standards ensure quality reporting, integrity, and public trust.
