I-News Financial Support Policy

This policy underscores I-News’ fundamental principles of producing editorially independent and financially sustainable journalism that makes a difference.

Therefore, I-News has established this financial support policy, which outlines how I-News will seek, accept and disclose financial support.

I-News seeks diverse sources of revenue to sustain its in-depth journalism and journalism education. Our financial support policy is organized to address multiple ways that donors, foundations and other supporters may offer financial support.

Support of journalism in general

I-News will seek and accept financial support in any amount for general operation of I-News. Acceptance of this support neither expresses nor implies any influence in editorial decisions beyond the broadly stated mission of journalism and journalism education.

Support of journalism in a particular topic area

I-News will establish a limited number of funds to support in-depth journalism and journalism education on specific topics of public importance. To assure that I-News is maintaining its editorial independence, I-News’ board of directors will approve the topic areas prior to any solicitation or acceptance of topic-specific funds.

The board may periodically update this topic list: Government Integrity, public information, business & economy, health, environment, education, public safety, journalism education.

I-News will only accept financial support for specific topic areas under the following conditions:

1.  Support is tied to a specific topic defined by I-News, but not to a particular project or investigation.

2.  As with all financial support, topic-specific support is completely transparent to the public.

Support of a particular journalistic project

I-News will consider financial support of particular journalism or journalism education projects. All project-specific support requires approval from the I-News board of directors.

I-News will only accept financial support for specific topic areas under the following conditions:

1.  I-News retains all editorial control of any project. The financial supporter will not have any right to editorial review or distribution control.

2.  All financial support is transfered to I-News prior to the start of the project and is not refundable.

3.  As with all financial support, project-specific support is completely transparent to the public.