the center for integrity in news reporting's mission

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cfinr's mission

The Center for Integrity in News Reporting is dedicated to recognizing and awarding excellence in journalism that embodies impartiality, objectivity, and fairness.  Our mission is to restore and maintain public trust in news reporting. We honor those who demonstrate these core values in their reporting.

We envision a future where news reporting is universally trusted, and journalists are celebrated for their commitment to truth and integrity.

Our mission is simple but ambitious: to promote less bias in news reporting and rebuild public trust in the media.

The Center is taking a multifaceted approach, including:

• Rewarding the best examples of impartial, objective, and fair news reporting, with a nationwide journalism contest for print, broadcast, cable television, digital and white house correspondents' association reporting.

• Having distinguished journalists meet with students in journalism schools, give guest lectures, teach classes, and explain how to “give news impartially without fear or favor” and why it engenders trust.

• Encouraging both journalism schools and news organizations to adopt their own statement of core journalistic values in news reporting, and most IMPORTANT, display them concisely, prominently, and transparently for readers, listeners, and viewers.

• Encouraging the public to reward those news organizations who adopt and prominently display their values with subscriptions, donations, and other forms of public support.

Other Initiatives:

In addition to its core initiatives, the Center is undertaking other important efforts to further strengthen integrity in news reporting:

• Targeting Mid-Sized Markets: The Center is focusing on mid-sized U.S. markets ranked 25–75 by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), defined primarily by the number of television households. We are meeting directly with news organizations in these areas, urging them to adopt, prominently display, broadcast, and publish a statement of core journalistic values. Additionally, the Center is conducting speaking engagements at civic clubs throughout these markets, encouraging citizens to ask their local news organizations about establishing and adhering to a clear set of core journalistic values.

• Recognition on the CFINR Website: News organizations that adopt a transparent, concise (under 250 words), and prominently displayed statement of core journalistic values will be publicly recognized. A complete listing of these organizations, organized by state, will be maintained and updated regularly on the CFINR website.

• Distinguished Journalists in Journalism Schools: Distinguished journalists will continue to visit journalism schools across the country to deliver guest lectures and, when invited, teach courses. These efforts aim to inspire future journalists to prioritize impartiality and fairness in their work.

• We are seeking grant support to help advance a national initiative that restores public trust in journalism by promoting integrity, transparency, and accountability. Through annual awards recognizing ethical reporting, training programs for journalism students, and partnerships encouraging media organizations to adopt clear ethical standards, we are tackling the root causes of media mistrust. Grant funding will directly support these efforts, allowing us to expand our reach, build public confidence, and create lasting change in journalistic practices. 

Why Your Help Matters

This effort cannot succeed without the support of people like you. Rebuilding trust in the media is a collective responsibility, requiring action from both the journalism profession and the public. By supporting the Center for Integrity in News Reporting, you can be part of the solution. Together, we can work toward a future where news reporting is less biased, more trustworthy, and better equipped to serve the needs of a democratic society.

With your help, we can address a problem the government cannot solve—restoring trust in the news and strengthening the foundations of our democracy.

"... We want objective judges. we want objective juries...we want doctors to be objective... we want scientists to be objective... journalists should insist on it for ourselves as well."