Policies
As a news organization holding state government accountable for transparency, Front Door Politics is committed to transparency in our own operations, as well.
We encourage readers to explore the following policies and practices that define our organization.
>> Please contact Publisher Hilary Niles by email or at (603) 969.8004 if you have any ideas, questions or comments about these policies or other practices of Front Door Politics.
Editorial Policy
adopted March 1, 2011
Journalism in the new media age can be confusing for audiences. At Front Door Politics, we believe that makes professional standards and transparency important now more than ever.
Our editors and reporters (“editorial staff”) must agree to the following Editorial Policy in order to contribute to Front Door Politics reporting.
Financial/Editorial Wall
At Front Door Politics, our editorial staff make independent decisions about the frequency and scope of our coverage on a wide range of topics. The wall between our funding and editorial direction is buttressed by specific protocols to prevent financial or political influence from infiltrating our reporting.
It is the responsibility of the writer to inform the editor of all sources contacted to inform any story. In the event that source material from an advertiser or financial supporter is included in any reporting, it is the publisher’s responsibility to disclose the identity and relationship of the source as a footnote to the report.
Conflicts of Interest
Front Door Politics editorial staff is prohibited from holding a financial stake in any private or public company subject to the laws of the state covered by the staff. This prohibition covers the direct ownership of any interest in any such company, but excludes mutual funds, 401K plans and other types of ownership in which the staff do not have direct control over such investments.
Editorial staff are required to disclose direct financial interests to their supervisors. It is the responsibility of editorial staff to recuse themselves in the event they are assigned reporting that covers an interest in which they have financial stake. Editors are also expected to assign coverage appropriately based on reporters’ conflict of interest disclosures.
Political Activity and Affiliations
Front Door Politics editorial staff are willing to sacrifice our rights to engage in certain political activities in order to earn the privilege of holding the public trust.
- Editorial staff may not be employed by, volunteer for, or contribute materially to any political party, candidate or advocacy organization.
- Editorial staff is discouraged from registering with a political party.
- Front Door Politics in no way discourages editorial staff from voting privately in general elections; it is not acceptable for editorial staff to make their ballot choices public.
Press Releases
We appreciate being kept apprised of your organization’s news. Front Door Politics welcomes press releases at NH@FrontDoorPolitics.com. We will not, however, publish a press release as if it were our news. When press releases are referenced in our reporting, they must be identified as such.
Corrections
Any corrections to our published work are noted and dated within the body of their original posts. Front Door Politics also publishes corrections as separate posts on our RSS feed, to our email subscription list and syndication partners, and via Facebook and Twitter.
Our editorial process at Front Door Politics involves careful fact-checking and editing. However, sometimes mistakes may occur. We are committed to quickly and transparently correcting any errors in our reporting.
>> If you see something on our website that you think needs correcting, please let us know. It will be handled immediately.
Comments Policy
adopted March 1, 2011
Reporting is only half the process. Journalism’s real value comes to life when the public (that’s you) uses the information we provide.
If our reporting gets you thinking, raises new questions, or inspires you to share your own story, Front Door Politics wants to hear about it. We encourage readers to engage with us — and each other — through our online comments forum.
Publication is not guaranteed. By posting a comment to our site, you agree to follow the guidelines contained in this Comments Policy.
Identity
We believe in free speech and in holding people accountable for the impact of their words and actions. Readers must provide a real name and valid email address to post a comment on the Front Door Politics website. All users must represent themselves; anonymity, pretending to be someone else or misrepresenting your identity or affiliation are not allowed.
Users must be at least 13 years of age to comment on this website. Individuals between the ages of 13 to 18 may post comments only with the permission of, and under the supervision of, a parent or legal guardian, who assumes full responsibility and legal liability for the minor’s comments.
Moderation
All first-time comments are moderated. Front Door Politics reserves the right to moderate subsequent comments by readers, and to delete any comments (published or awaiting moderation) at our sole discretion. This Comments Policy is the basis on which comments and use are moderated.
Permissions
By commenting on the Front Door Politics website and/or related social media networks, you assert that you are permitted by law to the contents of your comment. You also grant permission to Front Door Politics to re-publish all or part of your content in any format, at any time.
Responsibility
Readers are solely responsible for the content of their comments on this website and/or related social media networks. Front Door Politics in no way endorses, condones, nor verifies the truthfulness of any public comments.
Front Door Politics reserves the right, but does not hold the obligation to, remove any inappropriate content from this website or related social media networks. Front Door Politics shall not be held liable for any part of any claim brought by a third party relating to content posted on this website or in our related social media forums.
All Ages
Front Door Politics is a resource for all age groups. Comments must, therefore, be all-ages appropriate.
Constructive
Please keep your comments constructive and focused on the issues. If back-and-forth dialogue develops in a comment thread, keep it about the topic at-hand, not about our staff or any person making a comment.
Slander, libel, personal attacks or threats, and language that is profane, obscene or just plain crude will not be published.
Please do not use all capital letters. It “sounds” to readers like shouting, and NO ONE LIKES THAT.
Please keep your comments related to the report on which you are commenting. It makes for a much more useful conversation. Advertising or soliciting of any kind is not permissible.
Links
It’s fine to include links to other websites in your comments. But off-topic links, along with entire off-topic comments themselves, will be deleted.
We don’t edit your comments
Comments that the moderator considers inappropriate for, but not limited to, any of the above reasons will not be edited; they will be deleted.
Changes
This comments policy may be revised at any time, and we welcome your comments or suggestions to help us improve it. By commenting with Front Door Politics, you agree to abide by the most current version of this Comments Policy, as published on this website.
Enjoy!
Now that we’ve got that business out of the way, go to town! Get some conversations started, learn, and have fun!
Privacy Policy
adopted March 1, 2011
As a news organization committed to serving the public interest, Front Door Politics respects the privacy of our readers.
Front Door Politics is freely accessible to the public and requires no identifying information from users in order to enjoy full readability within the site. We do not harvest information from visitors. We do use Google Analytics, which anonymously tracks how visitors interact with our website, in order to gauge our own progress and successes.
A minimum of information is required in order to register for our free subscription services or to comment on the Front Door Politics website. This information is used only by Front Door Politics for related information and messaging. As a reader, subscriber or commentator, your identifying information is not shared with any third parties for any reason.
Sponsorship Policy
adopted March 1, 2011
Front Door Politics reaches one of the only statewide audiences in New Hampshire. By sponsoring our work, you not only demonstrate your civic involvement to customers and clients. You also get to connect with more of them. Here’s the Who, What, Where, When, Why and How of sponsoring Front Door Politics.
Who
Individuals, businesses, state agencies and nonprofit organizations are welcome to sponsor Front Door Politics.
We remind supporters and readers that Front Door Politics is non-advocacy in both our own reporting and the sponsorship we accept. Sponsorship on behalf of political parties, officeholders or candidates is off-limits here. We do accept sponsorship with limited messaging from advocacy groups.
What and Where
Online sponsorship packages include blanket or targeted advertising on our Home Page, in our Daily Dispatches, through our topical reports, and within our Online Learning Center.
You can also bring Front Door Politics “home” to your community by sponsoring an information session or debate moderated by a member of our editorial staff.
We do our best to make it possible for organizations off all sizes to support Front Door Politics. And we welcome new sponsorship ideas and collaborations!
Still, there are some things that sponsorship cannot be — and hopefully none of these come as a surprise. The following types of messages are inconsistent with our mission and would not be accepted:
- Misleading — Messages may not be fraudulent or unsupportable, and promotional messages may not be designed to look like reporting
- Fraudulent — Content must be accurate and all claims must be cited
- Offensive — Language may not contain slander, libel, threats, or language that is profane, obscene, or just plain crude
- Illegal — Messages cannot contain or promote something that’s against local, state or federal law
- Overtly Political — Sponsor messages linked to Front Door Politics may not campaign for or against any political party, officeholder, candidate or law (current or pending)
Sponsors are solely responsible for the content of their messaging. Front Door Politics in no way endorses, condones, verifies, nor holds responsibility for the truthfulness of any claims made by our sponsors.
Front Door Politics reserves the right to refuse sponsorship or a sponsor’s submitted design for any reason including, but not limited to, the parameters outlined in this Sponsorship Policy.
When
Online sponsorship packages range from an open rate for a minimum one-week run to graduated discounts for contracts 1, 3, 6 and 12 months long.
Local programming like information sessions or debates involve a lot more planning and lead time — usually at least one month and oftentimes more. We try to stay nimble, but we also project our editorial and logistical calendars far in advance. So if you’ve got an idea, we encourage you to get in touch quickly to line it up.
Why
Sponsoring Front Door Politics makes sense because we reach one of the only statewide audiences in New Hampshire. By sponsoring our work, you demonstrate your civic involvement to customers and clients.
Partnering with sponsors makes sense for Front Door Politics, too. Sure, it’s part of how we pay our bills. But it’s about more than just money. We love connecting the retailers, service providers, entrepreneurs and nonprofits that make New Hampshire unique with the people who make this state so vibrant.
How
>> Contact Publisher Hilary Niles to request a Media Kit for more details (including rates and website billboard sizes) by email or call (603) 969.8004.