A note from Nick
I started The Plum because I think Utahns deserve news that isn’t trying to win them over to a side. Everything below is how we protect that. Simply put, I’d rather be an independent writer with a $0 budget than run a compromised newsroom with a million dollar budget.
Our editorial independence policy
The Plum is a nonpartisan nonprofit newsroom, and we, our board, and our writers protect our editorial independence fiercely. We retain full authority (and responsibility) for all editorial decisions.
As part of that independence, we have to be careful how we fundraise. We seek out aligned donors who will support our mission without trying to change it. And we are clear with funders, including UI Charitable as our fiscal sponsor, that they have no right to review, approve, or influence our reporting before or after publication. Their support goes to the mission. It buys no say in what we publish.
We do not accept funding that comes with conditions on how we cover a certain topic. Acceptance of any gift or grant does not constitute endorsement of the giver, and no funder relationship implies that our coverage of that funder or its interests will be favorable.
We make our own decisions about what to report, guided by independent criteria and the needs of Utahns. We may consult with outside organizations on topics of coverage, but consultation does not create a right of review or approval.
Everything we publish is our own. We do not run sponsored content, press releases, or paid placements dressed up as news. If that ever changes, it will be labeled so plainly that nobody could mistake it.
The Plum does not endorse candidates for office, and we explain public policy rather than campaign for it. On ballot measures and legislation, we lay out what’s at stake and the strongest case on each side. Often, our writers (Nick included) will tell you where they landed. When that happens, it’s in a clearly labeled My Take, it’s that writer’s view, and The Plum itself takes no position.