Policies

Nothing is more important to WVIA than protecting the private information of visitors to our website. This Privacy Policy applies to all visitors to the WVIA website. By using the WVIA website, you agree to the policies and procedures described herein.

Below you will find information about WVIA’s commitment to ensuring the privacy of your and your children's personally identifiable information (such as your full name, address, email address, telephone number and/or other identifying information) and preservation of its integrity. This Privacy Policy describes how WVIA uses, shares and protects the information that WVIA collects from you online through our website and any other websites, applications or online services that WVIA operates (collectively, the “Services”).

Please read the following carefully. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.

Gathering and Use of Personal Information

WVIA will never willfully disclose any personally identifiable information about our online audience to any third party without first receiving the user's permission, except as provided herein. We do not collect personally identifiable information from our visitors other than what is supplied to us on a voluntary basis.

Visitors to the WVIA website may voluntarily supply certain personally identifiable information in connection with (i) contest or sweepstakes registration, (ii) subscription registration for sites or services which require subscription (such as email newsletters or single sign-on (“SSO”)), (iii) requests for membership information and (iv) e-commerce transactions. In addition, personally identifiable information is voluntarily provided in connection with certain content submissions, community postings (i.e., forums or bulletin boards), comments and suggestions, or voting.

Visitors may be prompted to provide some or all of the following types of information in order to register or access various content and features of the WVIA website: (i) contact information, such as name or e-mail address, (ii) username and password, (iii) geolocation information, (iv) other demographic information, such as city, state, and zip code, (v) communications preferences, (vi) search queries, (vii) comments and other information posted through interactive online features; and (viii) correspondence you send to us.

We also may collect certain information automatically when you use the WVIA website, including: (i) your browser type and operating system, (ii) your Internet Protocol (IP) address, which is the number automatically assigned to your computer whenever you access the Internet and that can sometimes be used to derive your general geographic area (e.g., your zip code), (iii) sites you visited before and after visiting the WVIA website, (iv) pages you view and links you click on within the WVIA website, (v) unique identifiers, including mobile device identification numbers that can identify the physical location of such devices in accordance with applicable law; (vi) information collected through cookies, web beacons, and other technologies, (vii) information about your interactions with video content, such as the type of content viewed, (viii) information about your interactions with e-mail messages, such as the links clicked on and whether the messages were opened or forwarded, and (ix) standard server log information.

Disclosure of Information

We may share information that is collected from you in the following circumstances:

WVIA may use such information for conducting the activities stated above, for internal marketing and promotional purposes, or, on occasion, when mailing lists are made available to other organizations. For more information regarding WVIA's policies on the handling and use of WVIA's membership list, please see WVIA's Membership List Policy on the WVIA website. WVIA may also share information with our third-party service providers to help us fulfill requests and perform various functions necessary to fully provide and improve the Services, including usage analytics, data processing, marketing, and account management. The extent of such use is always explained at the time a site visitor provides such information.

If the visitor does not want this information collected and used by us, the visitor is given an opportunity to "opt-out." Our visitors need to recognize, however, that under certain circumstances, if they select to "opt-out", they may not be eligible for certain activities for which the personally identifiable information is needed (for example, if a contest participant elects to "opt-out" on permitting us to collect and use their personal information, we cannot contact them if they win without using such information).

WVIA may disclose personal information, without notice, to respond to subpoenas, court orders, legal process, law enforcement requests, legal claims or government inquiries, and to protect and defend the rights, interests, property, safety, and security of WVIA, our users and the public.

Third-party Sources

We may collect information about you from third-party sources. For example, we may receive information about you from third-party social media services when you choose to interact or connect with them through the Services.

Additionally, if you access third-party services, such as Facebook, Google, or Apple, through the SSO to log into the WVIA website or to share information about your experience on the WVIA website with others, these third-party services may be able to collect information about you, including information about your activity on the WVIA website, and they may notify your connections on the third-party services about your use of the WVIA website, in accordance with their own privacy policies.

Use of Cookies

The WVIA website uses cookies to offer an enhanced and customized experience for its end user. You may be able to refuse or disable cookies by adjusting your web browser settings. Because each web browser is different, please consult the instructions provided by your web browser (typically in the “help” section). Please note that you may need to take additional steps to refuse or disable some technologies including local shared objects. If you choose to refuse, disable, or delete these technologies, some of the functionality of our Services may no longer be available to you.

By using the WVIA website, you consent to our use of cookies and similar technology.

Children’s Privacy

Protecting the privacy of children is important to us. WVIA does not collect, solicit, or keep personal information from anyone under the age of 18. If we learn that we have collected personal information through the Services from a child under 18 without the consent of the child's parent or guardian as required by law, we will delete it.

Security

We have adopted reasonable technical, administrative, and physical procedures to help protect your information from loss, misuse, and alteration. Please note that no data transmission or storage can be guaranteed to be 100% secure. We want you to feel confident using the Services but we cannot ensure or warrant the security of any information you transmit to us.

You may request deletion of your personal information by contacting us here.

Acceptance of these WVIA Web Site Privacy Policy Terms and Conditions

By using the WVIA website, you signify your agreement to the terms and conditions of this WVIA Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to these terms and conditions, please do not use the WVIA website. We reserve the right, at our sole discretion, to change, modify, add, or remove portions of this policy at any time. Please check this page periodically for any changes. Your continued use of the WVIA website following the posting of any changes to these terms will constitute your acknowledgement and acceptance of the modified terms of this Privacy Policy and your agreement to abide by such modifications to this Privacy Policy. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.

Donor Privacy Policy

The support from our individual members and donors is critical to fulfilling WVIA’s mission of community service. WVIA conducts our fundraising in compliance with nationally established guidelines while ensuring that our member’s trust and faith in us is deserved.

WVIA maintains lists of names, addresses, giving history, programming interests and other pertinent data for those who have supported us financially or otherwise have indicated an interest in our organization's programming or activities.

WVIA does not sell or exchange its member or donor lists with any other organization.

On occasion, WVIA provides its list to vendors who conduct work or an activity for WVIA. WVIA requires all vendors to maintain the confidentiality of WVIA’s files and confidential information and to adhere to a policy of not exchanging, selling, or otherwise disclosing the organization's member, donor and underwriter lists.

WVIA will adhere to all federal, state and local laws.

WVIA is required to disclose the identity of all donors who provide direct funding for any program produced by WVIA.

WVIA may publish a list of members and donors (for example, as part of our Annual Report.) This listing may indicate a monetary range into which each member or donor's gift falls. If you wish to be excluded from any such listing, contact us at memberservices@wvia.org.

WVIA will also comply with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting guidelines for list activities. These guidelines require WVIA to annually certify compliance with laws and regulations of the Internal Revenue Service regarding tax-exempt status, and with all federal laws and regulations governing political activity and lobbying.

WVIA will not rent or purchase any mailing list that is politically affiliated including, but not limited to, political organizations, campaigns and committees.

Donor Bill of Rights

Each nonprofit organization holds a public trust to improve the quality of life. Likewise, philanthropy is based on voluntary action for the common good. It is a tradition of giving and sharing that is primary to the quality of life. To assure that philanthropy merits the respect and trust of the general public, and that donors and prospective donors can have full confidence in the not-for-profit organizations and causes they are asked to support, WVIA accepts several guiding principles that all donors have the right to:

• Be informed of WVIA's mission, of the way WVIA intends to use donated resources, and of its capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes.
• Be informed of the identity of those serving on WVIA’s governing board and to expect the board to exercise prudent judgment in its stewardship responsibilities.
• Have access to WVIA's most recent financial statements.
• Be assured their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given.
• Receive appropriate acknowledgment and recognition.
• Be assured that information about their donations is handled with respect and with confidentiality to the extent provided by law.
• Be assured that privileged or confidential information about themselves and their giving will not be disclosed to unauthorized parties outside of WVIA.
• Expect that all relationships with individuals representing organizations of interest to the donor will be professional in nature.
• Be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of the organization or hired solicitors.
• Feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful and forthright answers.
• Ensure that all solicitation materials are accurate and correctly reflect WVIA's mission and use of solicited funds.
• Receive informed, accurate and ethical advice about the value and tax implication of potential gifts.
• Give their consent before WVIA might alter the conditions of a gift.
• Know that their names will not be sold, rented, leased, traded, loaned, donated, transferred or exchanged from WVIA donor lists.
• Know with confidence that WVIA will use accurate and consistent generally accepted accounting methods that conform to the appropriate guidelines adopted by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB).

Gift Acceptance Policy

View the

Member List Sharing Policy

Long-term support from our individual members is critical to fulfilling WVIA’s mission of community service. Maintaining and preserving a strong, trusting relationship with our members is key to this vital source of support. WVIA maintains lists of names, addresses, giving history, programming interests and other pertinent data for those who have supported us financially or otherwise have indicated an interest in our organization's programming or activities. As policy, WVIA does not sell or exchange its list with any other organization. On occasion, WVIA provides its list to vendors who conduct work WVIA. Vendors are required to maintain the confidentiality of WVIA’s files and to adhere to a policy of not exchanging, selling, or otherwise disclosing the organization's lists. It is WVIA’s intention to retain the trust of its donors, members, viewers and listeners through this policy.

Editorial Independence Policy

We subscribe to standards of editorial independence adopted by the Institute for Nonprofit News:

Our organization retains full authority over editorial content to protect the best journalistic and business interests of our organization. We maintain a firewall between news coverage decisions and sources of all revenue. 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 for the general support of our activities, but our news judgments are made independently and not on the basis of donor support.

Our organization may consider donations to support the coverage of particular topics, but our organization maintains editorial control of the coverage. We will cede no right of review or influence of editorial content, nor of unauthorized distribution of editorial content.

Our organization will make public all donors who give a total of $5,000 or more per year. We will accept anonymous donations for general support only if it is clear that sufficient safeguards have been put into place that the expenditure of that donation is made independently by our organization and in compliance with INN's Membership Standards.

State Charitable Disclosures

Northeastern Pennsylvania Educational Television Association (WVIA/WVIA Public Media) is a registered charitable organization in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey. A complete copy of WVIA's financial statement and other information about WVIA's mission, programs and activities is available upon request by writing to WVIA, at 100 WVIA Way, Pittston PA 18640, by calling 570-826-6144, on our website at wvia.org, or as stated below. Inquiries may be directed to Kristen Clark at the above address.

Pennsylvania: The official registration and financial information of Northeastern Pennsylvania Educational Television Association may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement. Northeastern Pennsylvania Educational Television Association does business as WVIA and WVIA Public Media.

New York: A copy of the last annual report filed by Northeastern Pennsylvania Educational Television Association may be obtained by either writing 100 WVIA Way, Pittston, PA 18640 or from the Office of the Attorney General, Department of Law, Charities Bureau, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271.

New Jersey: INFORMATION FILED WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CONCERNING THIS CHARITABLE SOLICITATION AND THE PERCENTAGE OF CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED BY THE CHARITY DURING THE LAST REPORTING PERIOD THAT WERE DEDICATED TO THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY BY CALLING 973-504-6215 AND IS AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET AT http://www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/charfrm.htm. REGISTRATION WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT.

Donor & Financial Transparency

We are committed to transparency in every aspect of funding our organization.

Accepting financial support does not mean we endorse donors or their products, services or opinions.

We accept gifts, grants and sponsorships from individuals, organizations and foundations to help with our general operations, coverage of specific topics and special projects. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates as a public trust, we do not pay certain taxes. We may receive funds from standard government programs offered to nonprofits or similar businesses.

Our news judgments are made independently – not based on or influenced by donors or any revenue source. We do not give supporters the rights to assign, review or edit content.

We make public for WVIA News all revenue sources and donors who give $5,000 or more per year. As a news nonprofit, we avoid accepting charitable donations from anonymous sources, government entities, political parties, elected officials or candidates seeking public office. We will not accept donations in support of WVIA News from sources who, deemed by our board of directors, present a conflict of interest with our work or compromise our independence.

For the full list of $5,000+ donors in support of WVIA News, click here.

Policy Prohibiting Sale to Political Candidates

WVIA does not sell commercial time of any kind, including time to candidates for public office, and does not sell, rent, give or exchange a member or donor name to, with or from any candidate for public office, committees or organizations supporting a candidate, political parties, or organizations that solicit funds for use in political campaigns for any purpose.

Commenting Policy

WVIA reserves the right to delete comments that contain:

• offensive language
• personal attacks
• improper comments that target any ethnic, racial, or religious group
• spam or include certain links to other sites
• are clearly off topic