These policies were revised and republished on our website in September 2025. 

Editorial independence policy

We subscribe 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 work, but our news judgments are made independently and never on the basis of donor support under any circumstances.

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.

Donor and financial transparency

We go beyond INN’s recommendation to disclose major donors (those giving above $5,000 annually) by publicly disclosing all revenue sources and donors. While we may accept donations on occasion from local elected officials, we always maintain our editorial independence. We may receive funds from standard government programs offered to nonprofits or similar businesses. 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.

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.  In accordance with those standards, anonymous donations, if accepted, will not exceed 15% of our total annual revenue.  

Equity and inclusion

This news organization aims to reflect the diversity of the communities it serves in its staff and contributors, its editorial decisions and priorities.

Data Security and Privacy

The New Bedford Light is committed to protecting the privacy of our readers and the security of their data. We do not sell personal information and only collect user data necessary to improve our services and communication. Any data shared with third parties, such as email services or analytics platforms, is handled in accordance with strict confidentiality and industry-standard security protocols. To see our entire privacy policy, visit here.

Corrections and Clarifications 

We are committed to accuracy. When we make an error, we promptly correct it and explain the correction. If the error is made by the subject of a story, we will provide a clarification. Readers can submit correction requests at info@newbedfordlight.org. 

Newsroom Ethics and Standards 

We adhere to the Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics. Our journalism prioritizes fairness, accountability, transparency, and public service. Reporters verify information through multiple sources, attribute facts appropriately, and avoid sensationalism. We do not plagiarize or alter quotes. 

We use unnamed sources only when it’s vital to the story and is necessary to protect a subject. The decision to use unnamed sources is made by the executive editor in consultation with the editing team. 

Use of Artificial Intelligence

We use original reporting — not artificial intelligence — to generate content. We do not publish any other content generated by AI without clear human review.

Commitment to Nonpartisanship 

While we report on legislators and legislative issues as a 501c3 organization, we do not endorse or support political candidates. We take positions on legislation or public policy only in rare cases when the issues involve press freedom, access to information, First Amendment protections, or matters directly impacting the sustainability of independent journalism.

Conflict of interest policy

Note: Conflict of Interest policies such as this are usually internal documents for staff and board members, but in the interest of transparency, INN recommends news organizations consider posting their conflict policies for public review as it provides readers with further insights into the ethics and news practices of your organization.

Staff conflict of interest policy

An employee’s primary duty is to represent The Light at all times to the best of his or her ability. To this end, an employee should not become involved in any situation that could create a personal conflict or place the employee under an obligation that could interfere with their duty. Each employee is obligated to be free at all times from any influence that might conflict or appear to conflict with the interest of The Light or that might deprive the employee of his or her undivided loyalty.

Several examples of conflict of interest that should always be avoided are set forth below, and similar situations must be scrupulously avoided.

• If an employee or member of his or her immediate family has a financial interest in a firm that does business with The Light and the interest is sufficient to affect the employee’s decisions or actions, the employee must report the interest to The Light and must not represent The Light in any such transaction.
• No employee or member of his or her immediate family shall accept gifts from any person or firm dealing or seeking to do business with The Light under any circumstances from which it might be reasonably inferred that the purpose of the gift is to influence the employee in the conduct of company business. Such a gift should be returned with a note of explanation. Employees are not prohibited from accepting advertising novelties such as pens, pencils and calendars or other gifts of nominal value when circumstances clearly show that such gifts are offered for reason simply of personal esteem and affection.
• No employee shall directly or indirectly give, offer or promise anything of value to any representative of any financial institution in connection with any transaction or business that The Light may have with such financial institution.
• No employee should maintain an ownership interest (for example, stock in) or work for a competitor of The Light.
• No employee should directly or indirectly engage in conduct which is disloyal, disruptive, competitive or damaging to The Light.

Board of Directors Code of Ethics and Conflict of Interest Policy 

1. Preface: The Public Trust: Fiduciary Duties of Care, Loyalty and of Related Matters

The public purpose and tax exempt status of The New Bedford Light (“The Light”) includes an obligation for its the Board of Directors (“board members”) to maintain the public trust and, as fiduciaries, to comply with the duty of care and the duty of loyalty to The Light and to its mission. The duty of care means that board members must act with such care as an ordinarily prudent person would employ in their position. The duty of loyalty means that board members must act in good faith and in a manner in the best interest of The Light and its mission. 

It is incumbent upon board members to conduct the affairs of The Light with a commitment to the highest standard of integrity and personal conduct. This includes the obligation to act at all times in an honest, transparent and ethical manner in compliance with The Light’s by-laws and with all applicable public laws and regulations. It also includes the obligation to avoid actual, potential or apparent conflicts of interest as provided below.

No board member shall derive any personal profit or gain, directly or indirectly, by reason of his or her participation as a board member of The Light.  This prohibition does not apply to ex-officio members of the board who are professional staff members of The Light.

This policy is intended to supplement but not replace any applicable state and federal laws governing conflict of interest applicable to nonprofit and charitable organizations. 

Compliance with this Code of Ethics and Conflict of Interest Policy will promote The Light’s mission and sustain a culture where honest and ethical conduct is recognized, valued and exemplified in the public interest.

Board members will sign the Code of Ethics and Conflict of Interest Policy every year.

2. Confidentiality

Board members will acknowledge and maintain the confidential nature of The Light’s business and any other information provided to them in their capacity as board members on a confidential basis. Further, board members will not speak to or communicate with persons outside The Light in their capacity as board members without the approval of the board chair. However, as noted below, if board members become aware of violations of the public trust by any persons associated with The Light, they shall promptly report the same to the board chair and, if necessary, to the appropriate public authorities.

3. Illegal or Unethical Conduct

Board members will not engage in illegal or other unethical conduct that brings discredit to The Light or that interferes with the capacity of the board, the chief executive officer or the staff of The Light to serve The Light’s mission.

4. Use of The Light’s Property

Board members will use The Light’s property only for the official purposes of The Light and will make no personal use of The Light’s property or services for self-serving purposes.

5. Non-interference with Staff/Supervening Duty to Report

Board members will not interfere with The Light’s personnel in the course of their day-to-day work and shall defer to the chief executive officer and to the executive editor for their supervision. However, if at any time, a board member becomes aware of any illegal, unethical or other conduct by an employee, senior staff or officer or board member of The Light that could jeopardize the good standing of The Light, the board member shall promptly report the same to the board chair and, if necessary, to the public authorities in the absence of appropriate action by the board chair.  

6. Response to Public Inquiries 

Consistent with the obligation of confidentiality, board members shall not respond directly to inquiries from outside sources relating to The Light’s confidential business, including its stories, staff, policies, plans and activities. Rather, board members shall refer those inquiries to the chief executive officer and/or the board chair.  Board members shall not respond to the substance of such inquiries as to The Light’s confidential business without the approval of the chief executive officer and/or the board chair.

7. Conflict of Interest

Board members shall avoid actual, potential or apparent conflicts of interest. A conflict of interest exists when a board member, or an immediate family member of a board member or a group or organization in which a board member holds a material financial interest or of which the board member is an officer, trustee or employee, may be seen as competing with or contrary to the interests of The Light. 

Consistent with their duty of loyalty to The Light, board members have a duty not to use their position as a board member for personal gain or other personal benefit.

In addition, each board member has a duty to disclose to the board the material facts of any matter in which the board member has an actual or potential conflict of interest prior to its consideration by the board. If, at any time, a board member believes or should reasonably believe that they may have an actual, potential or apparent conflict of interest, the board member shall immediately inform the board chair. The board member having the conflict shall recuse him/herself from consideration of the matter and shall excuse him/herself during its consideration.

The disclosure of the conflict, the excusal of the conflicted board member and the substance of the board’s deliberation shall be recorded in the board’s minutes.

In the case of an apparent or actual material violation of this Code of Ethics and Conflict of Interest Policy, the board may request the board chair to initiate proceedings to remove the board member in accordance with the by-laws.

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