To Our Readers

The credibility of the Los Angeles Times is of utmost importance--to us and to you.

Recently, our journalistic integrity came under suspicion. In October, we published an issue of the Los Angeles Times Magazine devoted to the opening of Staples Center. As our stories noted, The Times is a founding sponsor of Staples, but we did not disclose to our newsroom or to you, our readers, that we shared the profits on this issue of the magazine with Staples. That was a mistake.

As a result, we are extensively reviewing our policies, practices and business arrangements. We have found a handful of situations that are not consistent with journalistic independence, and we are correcting them.

We are also taking the following steps to assure you that the newspaper you read each morning is worthy of your trust:

We have put into writing our principles of editorial integrity. We believe it is very important to share these with you, and they are set forth below.

Second, we have asked David Shaw, our Pulitzer Prize-winning media reporter, to undertake a full and independent examination of these matters. We will publish his report Monday. We believe we must be able to shine as bright a light on ourselves as we do on others. George Cotliar, the retired managing editor of the Los Angeles Times, is editing the story.

Third, we are developing guidelines to implement these principles and ensure that our actions are governed each day by our commitment to editorial independence and integrity. We are also revising our ethics codes and implementing a new policy on correcting errors that have appeared in the paper.

All of us at The Times must, and will, continue to work together to improve this great newspaper for you, our readers. We welcome your comments.

KATHRYN M. DOWNING

Publisher

MICHAEL PARKS

Editor

Principles of the Los Angeles Times

Our pledge to our readers is to publish one of the best newspapers in the world. Our mission is to provide the news, information, analysis and commentary they need to lead successful lives and to be effective citizens in a democracy.

Our duty is to the truth. We pledge to seek and report the truth with honesty, accuracy, fairness and courage. By seeking truth and sharing understanding, we will strive for the improvement of society.

We will show no favoritism. Our newsroom will operate free of influence from public and private institutions, political officials and advertisers.

We hold that journalistic excellence is the soundest foundation for our success and that the editorial integrity of the Los Angeles Times is its most precious asset. For this, we will be vigilant among ourselves and open with our readers.

We will deal with people fairly and compassionately.

We will remain free of associations or activities that might compromise our integrity or damage our credibility. We will avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived. We will disclose those associations and activities we do undertake.

If the editorial mission and the commercial interests of The Times conflict, editorial integrity will always come first. This principle applies to everything published or produced by The Times, including the newspaper and its Web sites.

These principles must be guarded by not only our publisher and editor, but every member of our staff.

As we go about our work, we will put the interests of our readers first. *