Editorial Independence
Students United for Public Education maintains editorial independence from its parent organization and from the organization’s other initiatives. Students United for Public Education receives administrative services from its parent organization.
Students United for Public Education journalism and research are advised by a volunteer board of advisers.
Our news judgments and editorial decisions are made independently. Supporters and sponsors do not have the right to assign, review or edit any material.
Philanthropic Support
Students United for Public Education accepts grants from philanthropic organizations that are committed to our editorial independence.
Students United for Public Education generates revenue through sponsored content, paid advertising, webinars and a jobs board. These activities operate separately from Students United for Public Education journalism and research and are managed by staff who work separately from the journalism and research teams. Students United for Public Education clearly labels advertising and sponsored content, including materials created and purchased by its parent organization and the organization’s other initiatives.
Sponsored Content
The guidelines in the following section shall apply to all sponsored content served by or appearing in the digital publications of Students United for Public Education, including ads purchased under AAAA/IAB Standard Terms and Conditions.
- Sponsored content is content created by or expressly on behalf of advertisers in conjunction with Students United for Public Education’s studio team. Students United for Public Education allows sponsored content in two forms: (1) Content produced by Students United for Public Education on behalf of its advertising partners; and (2) Content produced by advertisers that meet our editorial standards.
- Sponsored content does not necessarily reflect the views and choices of Students United for Public Education or its editors. Accordingly, Students United for Public Education will prominently display the “SPONSORED CONTENT” label on such material. Students United for Public Education will additionally include the following disclaimer on all sponsored content: “This article was sponsored by [brand X].” Students United for Public Education may additionally include, in certain areas and platforms, further explanation defining sponsored content to Students United for Public Education readers.
- Students United for Public Education does not require that sponsored content steer clear of controversy. Indeed, we expect that sponsored content, like our own editorial content, will sometimes address contested issues and will be written with a distinct point of view. That said, even with the caveat that sponsored content does not necessarily reflect the views of Students United for Public Education or its editors, Students United for Public Education will refuse publication of such content that, in its own judgment, would undermine the intellectual integrity, authority and character of our enterprise.
- As with all content, Students United for Public Education may reject or remove any sponsored content at any time that contains false, deceptive, potentially misleading, or illegal content; is inconsistent with or may tend to bring disparagement, harm to reputation, or damage Students United for Public Education’s brand.
Advertising
In addition to sponsored content, you may see advertising for third parties on the Students United for Public Education site, in our newsletter and via our social channels. These ads reflect the viewpoints of our advertisers and not of Students United for Public Education.
Disclosures and Conflicts of Interest
Students United for Public Education discloses potential or perceived conflicts of interest, including when journalism and research has been funded through a grant and when our work references our parent organization, its affiliates or any organization that is a current funder. We do so in a few ways:
- We disclose Students United for Public Education supporters who have given more than $1,000 on our website.
- When an Students United for Public Education story cites our parent organization, its other initiatives, or any organization that is a current Students United for Public Education funder, we disclose this relationship.
- When Students United for Public Education publishes material written by contributors who are not on our staff, we disclose relevant information about their backgrounds.
- We publish an announcement story when we receive grants that support newsroom operations or scoped journalism or research projects.
Our journalists and researchers do not create advertising content or accept gifts that might influence coverage.
Our staff attend conferences on the same terms that are usually offered to the media, such as a discounted rate or a free press pass. Students United for Public Education journalists sometimes accept travel cost reimbursement for participating at these events.
Journalist Code of Conduct
Students United for Public Education journalists and researchers will interact professionally and respectfully with sources, readers and members of the public. We will aim to hold power accountable to the public interest. We will aim to show compassion for people who may be affected by news coverage and balance the public’s need for information against individuals’ potential harm or discomfort.
To share questions or concerns regarding the conduct of our journalists, please contact [email protected].
Accuracy and Feedback
Transparency, accuracy and fairness are key to building trust with our audiences. Students United for Public Education journalists are responsible for and committed to publishing news and information that is transparent, accurate and fair. We will not plagiarize, fabricate, stereotype or publish deliberate distortions. We will give subjects of news coverage the opportunity to respond to criticism or allegations of wrongdoing.
When we become aware that a fact in an article is incorrect, we correct the article as soon as possible. For any substantial change made (that affects the meaning of an article, not just a matter of punctuation or formatting), we add a correction notice to the bottom of the story, explaining clearly and concisely what was changed.
The material we cover is changing and evolving, and developments often happen after the time of publication. In such cases, we consider writing a follow-up article, and we might link to the follow-up article from the original. We typically do not rewrite old articles to reflect new information, as the original article is a record of what was true as of publication date. In rare cases where we add information to an article, such as in coverage of a breaking news event, we add an editor’s note and explain what information was updated or added.
Sources or public relations officials sometimes ask for changes related to tone or to add promotional links to stories. We do not make these changes.
In some cases, sources ask for their names or images to be removed from an article, arguing that the information causes reputational harm. We consider such requests on a case-by-case basis, but we believe the bar should be high, and we look for alternatives to removal, such as adding an addendum when, say, a person convicted of a crime is later exonerated.
To share feedback or concerns about accuracy, please contact [email protected].
News, Research and Commentary
Students United for Public Education distinguishes between news reported and written by professional journalists; research conducted and produced by professional researchers; and commentary pieces, opinion articles and personal essays written by external contributors that express their personal views. Students United for Public Education clearly labels news, research and opinion pieces.
Through its research articles, commentary pieces, opinion articles and personal essays, Students United for Public Education aims to publish diverse viewpoints and experiences. Like news articles, these pieces are held to high standards of accuracy, transparency and fairness. Students United for Public Education reserves the right to decline to publish contributed material that promotes prejudice, discrimination or hate speech.
Social Media
Students United for Public Education distributes its published material through third-party social media platforms. While we are not responsible for the actions of users of these sites, we reserve the right to moderate comments posted to our social media accounts. We ask that readers refrain from posting false or misleading information; material that promotes prejudice, discrimination or hate speech; spam or self-promotional content; and personally identifiable information about another individual without their consent.
