Free Press Indiana’s sponsors, donors, advertisers and funding partners share our belief that delivering reliable, nonpartisan and essential local news makes our community stronger and ensures neighbors have access to the information they need to thrive.
The guidelines below address sponsor recognition messages that appear on Free Press Indiana platforms, including but not limited to email newsletters, podcasts, social media, websites, texting services and associated with virtual and in-person events.
- All promotional messages must be clearly attributed to a readily identifiable sponsor and transparently distinguished from adjacent editorial content in accordance with Free Press Indiana’s standardized display guidelines.
- Free Press Indiana has an open access policy but reserves the right to reject individual sponsors at our sole discretion, including rejecting support from any particular entity or terminating any sponsorship agreement at any time to preserve the organization’s mission, objectivity and editorial independence.
- Free Press Indiana reserves the right to redirect and/or replace sponsorship messaging or materials with ad placements of equivalent value in the event of an unforeseen editorial conflict as determined by newsroom leadership.
- Free Press Indiana intentionally avoids messages with misleading language and products or services with questionable claims or a history of predatory behavior. Free Press Indiana reserves the right to reject any print, digital or audio promotional message at its discretion, including on the grounds that it is false, misleading, inaccurate or unsubstantiated; that it makes unfair competitive claims; or that it fails to comply with our standards of decency and dignity.
- Free Press Indiana does not accept advertising or sponsorship that supports or opposes candidates for political or elected office.
- Free Press Indiana reserves the right to reject promotional messages that express support or opposition to any policy issues.
- Free Press Indiana reserves the right to apply minor edits to submitted advertising copy that correct spelling or grammatical errors before publication, without advertiser approval, provided these revisions do not materially alter the content of the intended messaging in any way.
- Any editorial content that includes references to advertisers, sponsors, grantmakers, donors or other funders will carry a disclaimer at the bottom of the story disclosing the relationship and stating financial support has no impact or influence on news coverage.
View a copy of Mirror Indy’s existing Editorial Independence Policy.
Questions? Contact Chris Belec at chris.belec@freepressindiana.org.