Supporting the Minnesota News Council

The Minnesota News Council is supported by news organizations, corporations, associations, foundations and individuals. The News Council does not accept any government funding.

An overwhelming majority of Minnesota news outlets participate willingly in our process, and they and their trade associations contribute about 20 percent of our $220,000 annual budget. More than 50 non-media companies support the News Council, many of them through a public relations or marketing budget (if the guidelines of their charitable-giving program preclude that kind of contribution to us). Corporations contribute about 40 percent of our budget, foundations 30 percent and individuals 10 percent.

Our major goal is to get news outlets to open themselves up to questions and criticism, so that they can more easily resolve complaints and gain public trust, instead of losing it through being seen as defensive and arrogant.

Our activities include public hearings on specific complaints; public forums, mock hearings for college and high school students; our television series Newsworthy; our twice-yearly magazine, and workshops to help journalists avoid lapses that lead to unfair harm and complaints.

The News Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

• Please contact the Minnesota News Council if you are interested in making a contribution to our work.

Gary Gilson
Executive Director
612.341.9357