Glossary
Editorial Independence
Whether coverage decisions are based on evidence and journalistic judgment, or on the preferences of funders, political allies, or the audience.
Why it matters
Editorial independence is the ultimate test of whether a media organization can be trusted to tell you things you might not want to hear.
What good looks like
A conservative outlet that publishes critical coverage of a Republican politician its audience supports.
What poor practice looks like
A media figure who never criticizes politicians popular with their audience.
How PressGrade scores it
PressGrade looks for coverage that challenges the figure's apparent political alignment and assesses financial conflicts.
Related terms
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