Planet Detroit is an independent nonprofit local news organization designed to inform you about the environment and public health in Detroit and Michigan.
Hold power accountable. Uncover solutions. Connect and empower the community.
Our mission is to produce quality climate, equity, health and environment journalism in the public interest that centers grassroots voices, holds power accountable, spotlights solutions and serves the community.
You can read our ethics policy here.
Our team
Planet Detroit’s non-discrimination statement
Planet Detroit is committed to dismantling systemic racism in our communities and in journalism. We prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, national origin, mental or physical disability, political belief or affiliation, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. We proactively work to include marginalized groups in our journalism and our business operations.
Our commitment to defending democracy
American democracy is facing a systemic crisis, and at Planet Detroit, we fight for our democratic ideals by bringing you truthful, comprehensive, and intelligent reporting on local environmental and health issues. We believe in your right to be informed to vote and engage in your local government confidently.
We commit to serving you. Learn more about our commitment to defending democracy.
The Planet Detroit manifesto
We firmly believe that the environment stands as the most pressing issue of our era. The looming specter of global warming, along with the ensuing climate disruptions it brings, represents a tangible and urgent threat.
We believe that independent journalism is the most critical component of our democracy and that it is only through seeking and exposing the truth that we can overcome the environmental challenges facing us.
Independence means we cover issues without bias, with close emphasis on facts and without a predetermined agenda.
However, this does not mean we don’t think the threats to our environment are real, or that global warming is not happening, or that humans should not address environmental problems.
Our editorial independence policy
Planet Detroit subscribes to standards of editorial independence adopted by the Institute for Nonprofit News.
Our organization retains full authority over editorial content to protect its best journalistic and business interests. We maintain a firewall between news coverage decisions and revenue sources. Acceptance of financial support does not constitute implied or actual endorsement of donors or their products, services, or opinions.
We accept gifts, grants, and sponsorships from individuals and organizations to support our activities in general, but our new judgments are made independently and not based on donor support.
Our organization may consider donations to support the coverage of particular topics, but we maintain editorial control of the coverage. We will cede no right of review or influence of editorial content or unauthorized distribution of editorial content.
Our organization will make all donors who give a total of $5,000 or more per year public. We will accept anonymous donations for general support only if it is clear that sufficient safeguards have been put into place that the donation expenditure is made independently by our organization and in compliance with INN’s Membership Standards.
What it does mean is that we remain agnostic about the solutions we cover. We evaluate them without bias.
Because the environmental issues we face can seem overwhelming and confusing, we are focused on providing background and context and covering solutions (but not advocating for them).
Because environmental issues often disproportionately impact low-income people and communities of color, we focus on making sure their stories are told.
Also, the environment is beautiful and amazing. We’ll try to take some space to appreciate that.