South Dakota News Watch, an independent nonprofit news organization, subscribes to standards of editorial independence adopted by the Institute for Nonprofit News.
The policy sets expectations for donors and outlines prohibitions from any financial contributor influencing South Dakota News Watch’s news focus or coverage.
South Dakota News Watch retains full authority over editorial content to protect the best journalistic and business interests of our organization. We maintain a firewall between news coverage decisions and sources of revenue. Acceptance of financial support does not constitute implied or actual endorsement of donors or their products, services or opinions.
We accept gifts, grants, contributions 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.
South Dakota News Watch 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.
South Dakota News Watch will make public all donors. We will not accept anonymous donations.
South Dakota News Watch may reject contributions for any reason in order to protect the journalistic integrity of the organization.