Why LION encourages members to secure media liability insurance

Independent local publishers across the United States and Canada are doing critical work informing their communities. LION Publishers knows that our members carefully consider costs, but going without media liability insurance is a significant financial risk for any news organization. 

Many LION members are growing a small business or operating as a solopreneur, and personal insurance policies nearly always exclude specific professional risks like media liability. The cost of a lawsuit could easily put a local news site out of business, which is why our Sustainability Audits and coaching programs encourage all members to ensure they have adequate media liability coverage. 

For members in the United States, LION has an agreement with the insurance broker Acrisure, which offers a discount to our members and can provide a quote for members in all 50 states for media liability insurance from an AM Best-rated insurance company. We are currently working to secure a similar agreement for Canadian publishers.

More details about this program, including how to contact Acrisure, can be found in the LION member portal. Look for “member benefits.” (If you’re a member and having trouble accessing the portal, please email membership@lionpublishers.com.)

LION members are not required to use Acrisure. Our goal is to provide members with information about relevant products and services, including insurance coverage, and we encourage members to consider any options that would best meet their business needs. LION does not receive any financial compensation or other benefits when members purchase insurance coverage through Acrisure.

This program was developed in partnership with Lawyers for Reporters, which provides pro bono legal services to LION members and other journalists and news organizations across the U.S.