USA Today

Overall Score Corrections Ownership Staff Policies Reporting Policies Interactivity 1.4

Ranking: Poor. Details of Findings: No corrections page could be found on the web site or through search engines. USA Today did provide under it’s “Contact Us/Feedback” page, a contact name, phone number and e-mail address to an editor that handles corrections – under the “Commitment to Accuracy” sub-heading. There was not an option to specifically correct individual stories (but readers can comment on them). At the bottom of every page, next to the Copyright 2007 label, it adds that USA Today is “a division of Gannett Co. Inc.” The only place we could find a link was at the bottom of the Contact Us/Feedback” page. No information found about conflicts of interests or the paper’s policy on the matter.  After a search, a Gannett Code of Ethics was found on the American Society of Newspaper Editors (ASNE.org).  But, that was last updated July 9, 1999. The web site offers readers a few options to let them voice their concerns with the publication.  For example, USA Today offers readers to “become a member of the USA Today community.”  Once a reader signs up for the free service, they can join forums (according to the site, a forum is a platform for readers to “openly discuss each others stories and topics interests.”  Everyone can browse, but only members can participate.  but, you have to be a member to “interact with our expert journalists” and “add comments and reviews throughout the entire” web site. The web site offers a Contact Us/Feedback page.  There, whether a member or not, a reader can access contact information of some of the publication’s staff. There is also an “Opinion” section.  There, readers and columnists share space.  USA Today also offers many staff-written blogs about a wide variety of topics. USA Today has a “Talk Today” section where readers can chat with experts and discuss opinions about various topics in the news. (Nicole Alberico and Catherine Citroni)

About USA Today

Circulation/Audience • 2,272,815 daily (May 2006)
Online Access • No log-in needed.
Parent Company • Gannett Co. http://www.gannett.com/
Other Relevant Ownership and Interests •
90 Newspapers http://www.gannett.com/web/gan013.htm
23 television stations http://www.gannett.com/about/company_profile.htm
Parent Company Revenue • $7.6 billion