AskYourLawmaker.org is a nonprofit service provided by Capitol News Connection, an award-winning national news service which brings politics ‘home’ to public radio stations with balanced, relevant and trustworthy news reporting. Our editorial integrity is critical to our success: public radio is an independent and significant element in our democracy, and as such CNC must protect its journalistic integrity from intrusion, either in fact or appearance. Listeners rely on CNC to uphold the highest standards of public service broadcasting, and we make the same pledge to users of this important web tool that connects citizens to their elected representatives. As a nonprofit service we rely on funding from foundation and corporate sources that require online and on-air credit for their support. It is what makes this unique and important service possible.

CNC has adopted guidelines that govern approval of sponsors and underwriters for www.askyourlawmaker.org and its web widgets, and define the ways by which sponsors achieve recognition online and on-air. Our on-air underwriting guidelines maintain compliance with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) policy and with generally accepted public radio industry practice.

Credits that in the judgment of Capitol News Connection do not meet the standards contained herein may be withheld from online and on-air distribution until altered to comply with these guidelines. The interpretation and application of this policy is the responsibility of CNC management, whose decisions regarding the approval of underwriters and underwriting credits are final.

AYL Sponsorship Terms

1. Sponsors or underwriters will not be accepted where the public might reasonably perceive bias in web or program content based on the public position or interests of the underwriter.

2. Sponsors and underwriters will not be accepted that are involved in illegal activities, or in a consistent pattern of unethical behavior.

3. Sponsors and underwriters may not exert editorial approval or control, or in any way act to influence the content of any programming or web content.

4. Ask Your Lawmaker will not accept display advertising or sponsorship by any political candidate, political action committee and campaign committees, and organizations whose names by themselves may raise a controversial or divisive issue meant to influence the electoral outcome. Six months prior to general elections and statewide primaries, we will give special scrutiny to new message requests that may be perceived as endorsements for candidates or positions.

5. Controversial issues and entities, as well as potential or perceived conflicts of interest, will be taken on a case-by-case basis, applying good faith judgment and “reasonable user” thinking to achieve a high standard of diversity and tolerance.

Widget Sponsorship and Funding Credits

CNC reserves the right to include discreet logos of its foundation grantors, partners and corporate sponsors on the Ask Your Lawmaker web widgets. These are not display advertisements, and by discreet, we mean 30 x 30 pixel sized clickable logos or text-based announcements relating to content partnerships. Any text on the widget must not feature a calls to action or comparative statements, and will adhere to the ‘AYL Sponsorship Terms’ as stated above.

Sponsorship and Advertising on AskYourLawmaker.org

Unlike the widget and on-air programming, AskYourLawmaker.org will accept advertising, including ads provided via Google AdSense. These advertisements will appear solely in the far right column of the site, separate and clearly distinct from editorial content. These ads will be text, images and flash. We will not use banner ads on the home page views, nor will we use animated ads. We will do our best to match content with relevant advertising. AskYourLawmaker.org and Capitol News Connection in no way endorse the content or messages of any advertiser.

On-air underwriting for AYL and CNC content on Public Radio Stations

There is likely to be some crossover between sponsors (foundation and corporate) of Capitol News Connection’s reporting for public radio station and the AskYourLawmaker.org site and widgets that appear on public radio and television sites, among others. However, on-air underwriting in public radio requires strict compliance with FCC guidelines. As such:

Credits MUST:
Be non-commercial in nature and consistent with the tone and content of public radio programming.
Be entirely factual and value-neutral.
Not exceed 12 seconds (less time may be available in some programs).

Credits MAY include:
A description of products or services including brand names.
The location of underwriter, products, or services.
A description of key or target markets.
Long standing slogans that identify the underwriter's business.
A telephone number or website address, but not include a "call to action."

Credits MAY NOT include:
Qualitative or comparative statements.
Advocacy, ambiguous, or misleading statements.
Pricing information, discounts, or incentives to purchase products or services.