Montclair Local subscribes to standards of editorial independence adopted by the Institute for Nonprofit News.
The editorial team of Montclair Local retains full authority over editorial content to protect our organization’s best journalistic and business interests. As such, its judgments are not subject to review by its Governing Board, Advisory Board, Local Council, or any other affiliated groups that support the organization.
We maintain a firewall between news coverage decisions and sources of all revenue. Acceptance of financial support does not constitute implied or actual endorsement of donors or their products, services or opinions.
Our organization accepts 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.
We 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 nor influence of editorial content, nor of unauthorized distribution of editorial content. As appropriate, we will disclose the fact of a donor’s support in content that mentions the donor or an affiliated organization to avoid any appearance of hidden conflicts of interest.
All parties, regardless of financial support, are equally welcome to provide feedback to the Montclair Local’s editorial team about its coverage. Montclair Local will, at times, solicit feedback from community members at organized events, including ones focused on fundraising or appreciation of current donors, as well as others focused on broader community interactions. Suggestions and feedback from donors, as well as suggestions and feedback from other community members who do not contribute to Montclair Local are equally valued.
We will make public all donors who give a total of $1,000 or more per year. We will accept anonymous donations for general 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.