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Newsroom Policies & Ethics

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At Crosswinds News, we believe communities thrive when every voice is welcomed, respected, and uplifted. As a Native-owned newsroom, we are committed to building systems that honor diversity, strive for equity, and practice true inclusion.

This commitment is reflected in our newsroom leadership, editorial practices, partnerships, community engagement, and the services we provide. Our goal is for diversity, equity, and inclusion to shape every aspect of Crosswinds News — and to continually grow with intention and accountability.

Non-Discrimination Policy

Crosswinds News strictly prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, disability, age (40+), or genetic information. We provide reasonable accommodations for medical or religious needs as required by law and do not tolerate discriminatory behavior in any form.

Team members and collaborators are encouraged to report concerns to Crosswinds News leadership without fear of retaliation. Confidentiality will be protected as much as possible.

All reports will be promptly and impartially investigated, and corrective or preventive actions will be taken when necessary. Anyone who reports discrimination or assists in an investigation is fully protected from retaliation.

Violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action, including removal from all Crosswinds News roles and activities.

Ethics Policy

Accuracy & Accountability

Crosswinds News is dedicated to fair, accurate, and community-centered reporting.

Our journalists:

  • Verify information before publication.
  • Avoid misrepresentation or oversimplification.
  • Seek out multiple perspectives when appropriate.
  • Avoid stereotyping or harmful generalizations.
  • Attribute information clearly and never plagiarize.
  • Correct errors transparently.
  • Use anonymous sources sparingly and only when warranted.

Respect & Dignity

Reporting must balance the public’s right to know with potential harm to individuals or communities.

Our journalists:

  • Show compassion toward story subjects and audiences.
  • Avoid identifying juveniles unless already publicly named by officials or permitted by a legal guardian.
  • Never identify living juvenile victims of sex crimes.
  • Refrain from covering suicides or suicide attempts unless circumstances are unusual, publicly disruptive, or involve a widely known individual.
  • Remember that all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Conflicts of Interest

Crosswinds News condemns conflicts of interest.

Our journalists:

  • Avoid real or perceived conflicts.
  • Decline gifts, favors, or compensation intended to influence reporting.
  • Maintain clear boundaries between editorial independence and outside pressures.

Moderation Policy

Crosswinds News is committed to fostering constructive and respectful dialogue across our platforms. To maintain a healthy environment, journalists and members must avoid posting:

  • Bullying or harassment
  • Hate speech
  • Misinformation
  • Non-factual claims
  • Nudity
  • Racism
  • Suicide or self-harm content
  • Spam
  • Terrorism or extremism
  • Threats
  • Vulgar or obscene language

Reporting on these issues is permitted. Committing the offense in comments or posts is not.

Example: A story about bullying at a school is allowed. Bullying a child in the comments section is not.

Corrections Policy

Crosswinds News strives for accuracy, but errors can happen.

Journalists will correct mistakes promptly.

  • Minor grammatical errors do not require a note.
  • Significant factual errors require an Update, Correction, or Clarification note at the bottom of the story explaining what was wrong and what has been corrected.

If you identify an error, please email: admin@crosswindsnews.net

Funding Information

Crosswinds News is supported through:

  • Advertising
  • Sponsorship
  • Media services
  • Grants
  • Donations

Media services include standalone marketing products and campaigns created for businesses, nonprofits, and tribal partners, provided through Crosswinds News parent company Talking Circle.

Editorial independence remains with the journalist at all times.

All sponsored content must:

  • Be clearly labeled as sponsored.
  • Be balanced by the publication of non-sponsored content.
  • Maintain the same standards of accuracy and fairness as all other reporting.

Sponsors do not receive preferential treatment.

To avoid real or perceived bias, businesses, organizations, or individuals may not sponsor stories about themselves if the topic is controversial.

Crosswinds News will continue to cover controversial topics independently. General news tips can be sent to admin@crosswindsnews.net.

Gift Acceptance Policy

Crosswinds News operates at all times recognizing the independence of our editors and reporters. Editorial function shall at all times remain independent of any donor, and no attempt shall be made to influence or interfere with our editorial policies or decisions.

Funders do not review stories before publication. Funders do not have special or privileged access to reporters or newsroom leadership.

Funders of specific editorial projects will be listed alongside or in conjunction with funded content.

Crosswinds News will accept gifts from named companies, individuals and foundations for unrestricted support, board funds or restricted programming.

Crosswinds News will accept gifts for specific editorial projects only from named donor advised funds, foundations and individual donors and only with the agreement of the publisher.

Crosswinds News will accept anonymous donations from individuals and from donor advised funds under $1,000 for unrestricted support, but not for specific editorial projects.

Crosswinds News reserves the right to decline any gifts that may create an appearance of bias or conflict of interest.

Definitions

Gifts include unrestricted support, designated gifts for broad categories of work or specific editorial content. Crosswinds News is required to ensure that all gifts meet tax benchmarks as established by the IRS and the State of Oklahoma.

Sources of gifts include individuals, donor advised funds with clear and transparent origins, foundations, corporations and unknown anonymous donors.

Ownership Information

Crosswinds News is a Native-owned news organization under the parent company Talking Circle.

Current ownership:

  • Kelly Tidwell – 51%
  • Brittany Harlow – 42%
  • BetaBlox Series, LLC – 5%
  • Rachael Schuit – 1%
  • Rahkiya Brown – 1%