The Radio Television Digital News Association has come out in support of independent journalism.
This comes on the heels of TV station owner Sinclair mandating that its local stations run a promo that calls out “one-sided news stories,” and accusing “some media outlets” of publishing “fake stories without checking facts first.”
“Editorial independence is an essential guiding principle for all journalists, local and national. Independence in this sense means making decisions in the best interests of the public, the audience, and the community – without being unduly influenced by outside pressures,” the RTDNA said in a statement.
In February, the RTDNA launched its #ThisIsJournalism campaign which highlights the positive contributions journalists make in their community daily.
“Much of journalism’s unique value lies in its local coverage. Newsrooms around the country, in cities large and small, serve the public in ways consistent with the RTDNA Code of Ethics, and in a manner that networks and national publications can’t.”
The RTNDA did not make specific mention of Sinclair in the statement. The organization also said businesses should operate as they see fit.