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How do I navigate the ethics of live events?

As news organizations begin to engage more deeply in live events with underwriting or sponsorship, there are a range of approaches for how to balance content/programming with the potential influence from sponsors.

There’s no single standard for how to balance business and editorial considerations of live events.

  • Do reporters get involved with live events that are sponsored?
  • Will sponsors be speakers in the sessions?
  • Will the event be on the record, or off the record?

This piece highlights some of the tensions that arise as news organizations host live events, highlights a few mistakes made along the way, and notes how various organizations are approaching balancing these tensions in their events.