Maine Startups Insider has decided to accept sponsors, and publish sponsored content, as a way to help fund the continued coverage of technology companies and startup founders in Maine.
The issue of sponsored content is sometimes a controversial topic in the media and news world. My opinion, and the direction I’m taking at MSI, is that no problems should exist with sponsored content as long as the news organization is upfront with the details, transparent when it comes to who the sponsors are, doesn’t try to pass off the sponsored content as something it’s not, and doesn’t allow the existence of sponsors to impact editorial decisions.
I promise to stand by those rules and will always be upfront with readers if content is being sponsored by a company or organization. Most importantly, I will never abdicate editorial control as a result of selling a sponsorship. Maintaining my editorial integrity is of the utmost importance, and integral to honoring the trust readers put in me as a journalist.