Insider Louisville is an independent nonprofit news organization. We do not align our reporting with a political party or ideology. Our public-service mission is to give readers accurate, consequential information that helps them understand and participate in civic life.
We report on local business, public policy, government, transportation, education, health, human services and culture. That mission shapes the standards below, which draw on the long-established Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics.
Our work may be supported through foundation funding, sponsorships, events and other disclosed revenue. Financial support does not determine editorial conclusions, story selection or the treatment of a source.
Seek truth and report it
Members of the Insider Louisville editorial team are honest and rigorous when gathering, reporting and interpreting information. Our reporters will:
- Take responsibility for accuracy, verify information before publication and use original sources whenever possible.
- Provide sufficient context and avoid misrepresenting or oversimplifying a story in headlines, previews or summaries.
- Continue gathering, updating and correcting information throughout the life of a developing report.
- Identify sources clearly whenever doing so does not create a serious and avoidable risk.
- Examine a source’s motives before granting anonymity. Anonymity is reserved for information that cannot reasonably be obtained elsewhere when identification could expose a source to meaningful harm or retaliation. We explain its use to readers.
- Seek a timely response from people or institutions facing criticism or allegations of wrongdoing.
- Hold powerful institutions accountable while making room for people and communities who are often overlooked.
- Support open, civil exchange without repeating degrading or abusive language unnecessarily.
- Protect public access to government proceedings and records.
- Link to or describe source material when it is relevant, lawful and responsible to do so.
- Seek sources reflecting the breadth of human experience and avoid stereotypes.
- Clearly label analysis, opinion, commentary, illustrations and reconstructed scenes.
- Never deliberately distort facts, context, quotations or visual information.
- Never plagiarize and always provide appropriate attribution.
Minimize harm
Publication can have lasting consequences. Our reporters will:
- Balance the public’s need for information against foreseeable harm or needless intrusion.
- Approach children, survivors, grieving families and people unable to provide informed consent with heightened care and cultural awareness.
- Recognize that legal access to information does not automatically create an ethical justification to publish it.
- Respect the greater privacy interests of private individuals while applying appropriate scrutiny to public officials and others seeking influence.
- Avoid sensational treatment of distressing events or private details.
- Balance a person’s right to a fair legal process with the public’s right to know, especially before formal charges are filed.
- Consider the permanence and reach of online publication, adding complete and updated information when warranted.
Act independently
Editorial decisions must serve readers rather than special interests. Our reporters will:
- Avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest and disclose unavoidable conflicts to editors and readers.
- Refuse gifts, favors, fees, free travel and special treatment that could compromise integrity or credibility.
- Avoid partisan and outside activities that could reasonably call impartiality into question.
- Reject arrangements that exchange favorable coverage or access for money, services or other benefits.
- Identify material supplied by outside sources and independently evaluate its claims.
- Deny favored editorial treatment to sponsors, funders or other special interests and resist pressure intended to influence coverage.
- Distinguish journalism from advertising. Sponsored content is prominently labeled.
Be accountable and transparent
Trust depends on openness about our work. Our reporters and editors will:
- Explain consequential ethical decisions and invite civil discussion about journalistic practices and coverage.
- Respond promptly to credible questions about accuracy, clarity and fairness.
- Acknowledge mistakes and correct them promptly and clearly, with an explanation when the change is significant.
- Report on unethical journalistic conduct when it is newsworthy, including conduct within our own organization.
- Meet the same standards of evidence, candor and accountability that we expect from the institutions we cover.