The Integrity Project Strengthening public media’s trust, independence and responsibility

Public television’s Affinity Group Coalition Public radio’s Station Resource Group With support provided by Corporation for Public Broadcasting

Creating A Culture of Integrity & Responsibility ………………building a culture within their organizations that reflects the values of integrity, accountability and transparency. ………………….from the high-level work of crafting principles and policies to the nuts and bolts of living up to our standards amid the daily grind, what is working and where is help needed?

The importance of values within an organization The ways in which an organization manifests its values, internally and to the public Key Objectives:

Trust Trust is our most important asset Across a range of challenges, continued trust in our content is essential – Working in a polarized environment – Developing new services and platforms – Asking donors and sponsors for more support – Making the case for tax-based funding

Distinctive public position Independent, locally-controlled media Principled purposes – Support a strong civil society – Increase access to culture and knowledge – Extend public education – Strengthen community life Quality, excellence and diversity – Accuracy and integrity – Inclusion that reflects our communities

Strong station culture Shared sensibilities – Define and live our values and principles Governance – Commitments to principles and policies that shape a trusted, responsible organization Operations – Instincts about “how we work here” that foster quality, accuracy, fairness, and transparency

From talent to a team Capable, committed, high-performing people... but often divided by our different roles A framework that unites – Supporting all of the enterprise – Aligning our efforts – Reconciling our differences

Work to date – tools to use Collect and vet issues and controversies Working groups to explore and recommend – Station leaders, media experts, producers – Reports published on the project website Sample guidelines and policies – From stations and networks A model Code of Editorial Integrity – A call for stations to adopt or adapt

Work ahead – a local process Each local organization adopts policies that work for you Commit to ongoing work – Review codes and guidelines of other organizations you respect – Encourage broad participation within your organization to foster broad buy-in – Expect to refresh your work on an ongoing basis

Next steps for the project Working groups on new issues – eg:Funders and Firewalls- How to develop and manage partnership productions – content and expectations Make our existing work more accessible – Connect with civic/lay leaders – Learn from their wider experiences – Articulate Board and Staff roles and relationships Revise and update the Code of Editorial Integrity for Local Public Media Organizations

What we need from you Today: – Tell us about current “hot spots” – At your own shop, right now Later: – Critique our current materials – What works, what doesn’t, what we miss – Tell us what will best support your own process

Contact the Integrity Project Co-directors Byron Emeritus Director, Wisconsin Public Broadcasting Tom Co-CEO, Station Resource Group Read all about it at

The Integrity Project Strengthening public media’s trust, independence and responsibility