Catalyst News Foundation – News Policies & Ethics

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Effective Date: July 1, 2025

Catalyst News Foundation believes communities are strongest when journalism reflects the full range of lived experiences, cultures, and perspectives within them. As a Native-led nonprofit newsroom, we are committed to building systems that honor diversity, advance equity, and practice meaningful inclusion.

This commitment informs our leadership, editorial decision-making, partnerships, community engagement, and organizational policies. We view diversity, equity, and inclusion as ongoing responsibilities that require reflection, accountability, and continual growth.

Catalyst News Foundation strictly prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, disability, age (40 and over), genetic information, or any other status protected by law.

We provide reasonable accommodations for medical, accessibility, or religious needs as required by law and do not tolerate discriminatory behavior in any form.

Contributors, collaborators, and community members are encouraged to report concerns to Catalyst leadership without fear of retaliation. Confidentiality will be respected to the fullest extent possible.

All reports will be promptly and impartially investigated. Corrective or preventive action will be taken when warranted. Retaliation against individuals who report concerns or participate in investigations is strictly prohibited.

Violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action, including removal from all Catalyst News Foundation roles or platforms.

Catalyst News Foundation is committed to fair, accurate, and community-centered reporting.

Our journalists and contributors are expected to:

• Verify information before publication
• Avoid misrepresentation, distortion, or oversimplification
• Seek multiple perspectives when appropriate
• Avoid stereotyping or harmful generalizations
• Attribute information clearly and never plagiarize
• Correct errors transparently and promptly
• Use anonymous sources sparingly and only when necessary for safety or public interest
   

We balance the public’s right to know with the potential harm reporting may cause to individuals or communities.

Our journalists:

• Treat sources and subjects with compassion and respect 
• Avoid identifying juveniles unless legally permitted or already publicly named by authorities
• Never identify living juvenile victims of sex crimes
• Refrain from covering suicides or suicide attempts unless circumstances are unusual, publicly disruptive, or involve a widely known individual
• Recognize that all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law
   

Catalyst News Foundation maintains strict editorial independence.

Our journalists and contributors:

• Avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest
• Decline gifts, favors, or compensation intended to influence coverage
• Disclose potential conflicts to editors
• Maintain clear boundaries between journalism, advocacy, fundraising, and outside pressures
   

Catalyst News Foundation is committed to fostering respectful, constructive dialogue across our platforms.

The following content is not permitted in comments or interactive spaces:

• Harassment or bullying
• Hate speech or discrimination
• Misinformation or knowingly false claims
• Threats or incitement of violence
• Racist or dehumanizing language
• Graphic sexual content or nudity
• Promotion of self-harm or suicide
• Terrorism or extremist propaganda
• Spam or coordinated disruption
• Vulgar or obscene language
   

Catalyst News Foundation strives for accuracy but recognizes that errors may occur.

• Minor grammatical or typographical errors do not require a correction notice.
• Significant factual errors require a clearly labeled Correction, Update, or Clarification note explaining what was incorrect and what has been changed.
   

Corrections are added transparently at the end of the story.

To report an error, please contact: info@catalystnews.io

Catalyst News Foundation is supported through:

• Grants
• Donations
• Sponsorships
   

Our funding model is designed to protect editorial independence and public trust.

Catalyst maintains full editorial independence at all times.

Sponsored or underwritten content must:

• Be clearly and prominently labeled
• Meet the same standards of accuracy and fairness as all other reporting
• Never influence editorial decisions or outcomes
   

Sponsors do not receive preferential coverage.

To avoid real or perceived bias, organizations or individuals may not sponsor stories about themselves when the subject matter is controversial or directly related to their interests.

Catalyst continues to independently cover controversial topics regardless of funding relationships.

Catalyst News Foundation recognizes the importance of donor transparency and editorial independence.

• Funders do not review stories prior to publication.
• Funders do not have special access to reporters or newsroom leadership.
• Editorial decisions are made independently of funding considerations.
   

Funding sources for specific projects are disclosed alongside related content when applicable.

Catalyst may accept:

• Unrestricted gifts from individuals, foundations, and organizations
• Restricted gifts for specific programs or editorial projects with leadership approval
• Anonymous donations under $1,000 for unrestricted support
   

Catalyst reserves the right to decline any gift that could create a real or perceived conflict of interest or undermine public trust.

Gifts include unrestricted support, program-restricted funding, and funding for specific editorial initiatives.

All gifts must comply with IRS regulations and applicable state laws.

Funding sources may include individuals, foundations, donor-advised funds with transparent origins, and organizations whose support aligns with Catalyst’s mission and ethical standards.

Questions about these policies or ethical standards may be directed to: info@catalystnews.io