The Poynter Institute, which has been long-recognized as the leader and model for journalism and the Fourth Estate, has joined mainstream media around the world by accepting funding from Google and other left-leaning agencies to train members of the media.
Upcoming in August, Google News Initiative is sponsoring a one-day, “intensive” training session for broadcast news members, to get them ready for the fall mid-term elections. The funding is clearly stated on the session’s sign-up page, as per Poynter’s policy of “transparent financial reporting.”
Indeed, on its transparency-in-funding page, Google is also credited with funding and collaborating with Poynter’s worldwide Fact-Checking Network, along with co-funders Meta (formerly Facebook). In fact, Poynter credits Meta specifically for its help in supporting “fact-checkers, climate organizations and solution providers working to combat false and misleading information about the environment.”
Microsoft, TikTok, WhatsApp and other left-leaning and liberal groups, including The Washington Post — which is owned by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos — also fund Poynter. Interestingly, one of Poynter’s points in its Code of Ethics is to present unbiased reporting. Poynter also stresses that they “ensure that funders have no influence over the conclusions” drawn by Poynter operations.
SOURCES:
Poynter Training Midterm Essentials
The Poynter Institute