Mission statement
The Pulp is an independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization in Missoula, Montana, that launched in September 2023. Our mission is to produce in-depth journalism that informs and engages the people of Missoula and western Montana and advances transparency, equity, and democracy. We aim to promote discourse, reveal Missoula’s complexities, and create community.
Information about The Pulp’s founders and board of directors can be found here.
Code of ethics
The Pulp subscribes to the Code of Ethics of the Society of Professional Journalists. SPJ members believe that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. Ethical journalism strives to ensure the free exchange of information that is accurate, fair and thorough. An ethical journalist acts with integrity. The Pulp is committed to the four principles SPJ has declared to be the foundation of ethical journalism: seek truth and report it; minimize harm; act independently; be accountable and transparent.
Editorial independence policy
The Pulp subscribes to standards of editorial independence adopted by the Institute for Nonprofit News:
Our organization retains full authority over editorial content to protect the best journalistic and business interests of our organization. We maintain a firewall between news coverage decisions and sources of all revenue. Acceptance of financial support does not constitute implied or actual endorsement of donors or their products, services or opinions.
We accept gifts, grants and sponsorships from individuals and organizations for the general support of our activities, but our news judgments are made independently and not on the basis of donor support.
Our organization may consider donations to support the coverage of particular topics, but our organization maintains editorial control of the coverage. We will cede no right of review or influence of editorial content, nor of unauthorized distribution of editorial content.
Our organization will make public all donors who give a total of $5,000 or more per year. We will accept anonymous donations for general support only if it is clear that sufficient safeguards have been put into place that the expenditure of that donation is made independently by our organization and in compliance with INN’s membership standards.
The Pulp’s conflict of interest policy can be found here.
Corrections policy
The Pulp strives to be accurate and complete in its news reporting. But as diligent as we are, we are not immune to mistakes. When a mistake is discovered, we issue a correction. These corrections serve as a way of maintaining trust and upholding our journalistic ethics.
We are accountable for the accuracy of the information we publish on our website and elsewhere. When a correction is required, we make clear to readers the correct information and the context of the mistake.
If you believe The Pulp has made a factual error in its reporting, please contact us at [email protected]. Our editorial staff will review the information and issue a correction if necessary.
Donor transparency policy
We are committed to transparency in every aspect of funding our organization.
Accepting financial support does not mean we endorse donors or their products, services or opinions.
We accept gifts, grants and sponsorships from individuals, organizations and foundations to help with our general operations, coverage of specific topics and special projects.
Our news judgments are made independently—not based on or influenced by donors or any revenue source. We do not give supporters the rights to assign, review or edit content.
We make public all revenue sources and donors who give $5,000 or more per year. As a news nonprofit, we avoid accepting charitable donations from anonymous sources, government entities, political parties, elected officials or candidates seeking public office. We will not accept donations from sources who, deemed by our board of directors, present a conflict of interest with our work or compromise our independence.
In 2023, major support was provided by:
Lila Byock and Sam Shaw — $12,000
Dawn McGee — $12,000
Clearwater Credit Union — $10,000
John Brownell — $8,500
Rockin Rudy’s — $8,000
Indiegraf — $7,500
Christine and Marco Littig — $7,000
Clyde Coffee — $7,000
Michael Duffy and Demetra Lambros — $5,000