Additionally, Guardian Labs recently launched a new initiative focused on increasing transparency about how its content is funded. This new initiative will further assist our readers by making it clear when these pieces of content are supported or funded by outside third parties. The decision follows a pledge to the Knight Foundations to strengthen ethics and transparency through journalism.
The ideas behind these new labels are to give readers clarity on what kind of funding it is—supporting new projects versus supporting ongoing work on an established article. These labels provide simple transparency about where content originated. They are a big victory for strengthening transparency for consumers.
A Commitment to Transparency
Guardian Labs understands that transparency is the best way to continue earning reader trust. It does a good job in clearly delineating content that is sponsored and paid for by outside interests. This helps audiences become more discerning consumers of the information they encounter.
The four possible labels that will be shown on sponsored content. These are things like “Supported by,” “Advertising partner/Exclusive advertising partner,” “Paid content/Paid for by,” and “Advertiser content/from our advertisers.” Each sticker corresponds to a different type of funding hood. This transparency makes it easier for readers to understand the biases and context in which the content was written.
This project further demonstrates Guardian Labs’ commitment to the highest standards of ethical journalism. By transparently stating where their funding comes from, the reputable organization encourages a better-read, more discerning readership. This transparency further adds to the credibility of its offerings.
Funding for New and Existing Projects
This money will fund new initiatives and amplify their archives. It’s this dual approach that encourages the ongoing development of new, innovative and fun content. It further improves the quality of our already stellar published work.
Creative projects supported by these collaborations will plunge deeply into ambitious subjects and new forms. This release will dramatically broaden the diversity of content readers can access. Concurrently, existing content will benefit from additional resources, enabling updates and improvements that align with current trends and reader interests.
Every time it uses third-party funding, Guardian Labs diversifies its revenue streams. In so doing, it further builds its capacity not just to create good journalism, but high-impact journalism that really moves audiences.
Understanding the Labels
While there are similarities, each label serves a different purpose, giving us some insight into the type of financial relationship at play. The “Supported by” label simply means that a third-party funder was generally supportive of this work, which shouldn’t be read any further into. The “Advertising partner/Exclusive advertising partner” label indicates a step further into cozying up with advertisers, signaling exclusive promotional partnerships.
“Paid content/Paid for by” explicitly indicates that the material has been created with financial compensation involved. Lastly, “Advertiser content/from our advertisers” signals that the content is directly linked to advertising efforts, ensuring readers are aware of its promotional nature.
These labels are designed for simplicity. They make it really easy for readers to see at a glance how our funding is making the content you’re reading possible. Through the adoption of this system, Guardian Labs aims to cultivate a deeper trust with our readers through clear disclosure and integrity in our operations.