Our Commitment to Integrity and Public Trust

The Cleveland Observer is dedicated to providing fair, accurate, and independent journalism that informs and empowers the Greater Cleveland community. As a nonprofit newsroom, we adhere to the highest ethical standards in governance, transparency, and editorial independence to ensure accountability to our readers.

Editorial Independence

We maintain full authority over our editorial decisions and content. Our journalism is guided by principles of:

  • Accuracy & Fairness – We strive for rigor in reporting, fact-checking, and balanced storytelling.
  • Independence – Editorial content is never influenced by donors, sponsors, advertisers, or board members.
  • Accountability – We correct mistakes transparently and encourage open dialogue with our audience.

Governance Structure

The Cleveland Observer is governed by a Board of Directors that provides strategic oversight while upholding our mission and values. The board does not influence day-to-day editorial decisions, ensuring our newsroom operates free from outside interests.

  • Board Responsibilities:
    • Safeguarding the Observer’s long-term sustainability
    • Ensuring financial transparency and compliance with nonprofit regulations
    • Upholding ethical and journalistic standards

Funding & Financial Transparency

We are committed to financial transparency in all aspects of our operations. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we rely on diverse funding sources, including:

  • Individual donations
  • Foundation grants
  • Sponsored community partnerships

To maintain editorial independence:

  • Funding does not influence editorial content.
  • We disclose all donors who contribute $5,000 or more annually.
  • We do not accept anonymous donations that could compromise our integrity.

Public Engagement & Community Accountability

The Cleveland Observer believes journalism should serve and reflect its community. We engage with readers through:

  • Community Forums – Regular public meetings to discuss coverage priorities
  • Reader Feedback – Open channels for audience questions, corrections, and concerns
  • Collaborations with Local Organizations – Partnering with civic groups to enhance public discourse

Ethical Standards & Conflict of Interest Policy

All staff and contributors must:

  • Disclose potential conflicts of interest and avoid reporting on topics where personal bias may exist.
  • Follow the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Code of Ethics to ensure fairness, truth, and transparency in reporting.
  • Sign an annual Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement to uphold editorial integrity.

Commitment to Continuous Improvement

Governance and transparency are ongoing priorities at the Cleveland Observer. We continuously review and refine our policies to strengthen public trust.

For more information about our governance practices, please contact info@cleobserver.com promise our journalistic integrity. All staff are required to sign a Conflict of Interest statement upon hire and update it as necessary.

Our Board

For a complete list of our board members and their roles, please visit our About Us page.

At TCO, we believe that trust is the cornerstone of effective journalism. We are committed to maintaining this trust through unwavering dedication to ethical practices, transparency, and editorial independence.