Rewarding Trustworthy Journalism
“The major problem is the algorithmic distribution of online content, because it […] amplifies everything that goes against professional norms – sensationalism, rumours, falsehoods and hate.”
Christophe Deloire – Secretary General, Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
“Now is the time to see how these standards can operate on a practical level, so this initiative can have a real impact, helping the industry and audiences alike to identify quality journalism amid the disinformation.”
Noel Curran – Director General, European Broadcasting Union (EBU)
“Any standard is subject to constant review, particularly in fast-moving industries, and we expect this one to be no exception, but we have to start somewhere and we have to do it now.”
Phil Chetwynd – Global News Director, Agence France Presse (AFP)
“We do not want to see governments or regulators or advertisers or big tech telling us what good or bad journalism is and therefore it must be us, the journalist’s community, to take the lead!”
Bertrand Pecquerie – CEO of the Global Editors Network (GEN)

The Journalism Trust Initiative aims at a healthier information space.

It is developing indicators for trustworthiness of journalism and thus, promote and reward compliance with professional norms and ethics.

JTI is led by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) in partnership with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and Agence France Presse (AFP).

About us

The Problem

No level playing field for
journalism vs. ‘F*ke News’

We live in an era of the grand de-enlightenment.

On the Internet, algorithms tend to amplify the extremes – sensationalism, rumours, hate and falsehoods. Opinion and beliefs trump facts. The rule-makers in big-tech are not accountable to anyone. The rules of the game are in- transparent and change all the time.

On this rocky, tilting and ever turning playing field, journalism is unfairly disadvantaged, losing reputation, reach and revenues – which renders it even less competitive.

That logic needs to be reversed. Democracy dies without a fact-based discourse.

The Solution

Empowering trustworthy news with a competitive advantage

Journalism worthy of its name must be clearly distinguishable, by humans and by algorithms. That’s why JTI is translating mostly existing professional norms into machine-readable code.

At the manufacturing level of journalism, benchmarks of quality and independence must be transparent and verifiable to reinstate trust.

To that end, JTI provides indicators for media outlets to self-assess and comply with – and for citizens, advertisers and regulators to reward it.

JTI is not ranking or rating individual pieces of content as such a mechanism might be misused to curtail the freedom of speech.

The Process

Phase one: 2018 - 2019

Standard setting as an open, inclusive, tested and scalable approach

JTI is a collaborative standard setting process according to the guidelines of CEN, the European Committee for Standardization.

More than 120 experts have contributed to this CEN Workshop Agreement (CWA) that was finally published on 19 December, 2019.

Logo: European Committee for Standardization (CEN)
Phase two: 2020 >

Implementation

From 2021 onwards, the JTI will offer online tools and support for media outlets to voluntarily self-assess their editorial processes, to publish the results and to get independently audited. This pilot project 'Fostering qualitative media by rewarding reliable sources - Journalism Trust initiative' is co-funded by the European Commission.

Logo: European Commision (EC)

Your Participation

Workability in real life is key

Therefore the JTI depends on your input.

We would like to encourage everyone to read the JTI Standard document and provide feedback.

In addition we invite media outlets and other stakeholders to join the pilot project and test the toolkit.

 

> Want to access the standards document?

> Contact the JTI Team?

 

Here you go:

JTI Standards and Questionnaire Get in Touch

JTI is for...

Media outlets

– that can self-assess compliance with the JTI standard and then get independently certified.

Social media and search platforms

– that can use JTI data to promote conforming sources.

Every citizen

– who can use JTI indicators for an informed choice of his or her news diet.

Advertisers

– that can use JTI to align their spending and thus, enhance brand safety.

Regulators

– that can use JTI as an independent, self-regulatory mechanism to allocate subsidies and benefits to media outlets.

Media Development actors

– that can use JTI as a means to select and evaluate projects.

About us