The Salt Lake Tribune, long regarded as a cornerstone of Utah journalism, has operated under a 501(c)(3) nonprofit designation since 2019—a move that was hailed at the time as a national first for legacy newspapers. However, questions are beginning to surface about whether the Tribune’s tax-exempt status still aligns with the intent of nonprofit media, particularly as the publication increasingly adopts a tone that some view as ideological rather than journalistic. Critics argue that a newspaper receiving tax breaks should strive for balance and broad public service, not use its platform to push divisive narratives or alienate segments of its readership.
The nonprofit designation allows the Tribune to solicit tax-deductible donations and avoid federal income tax, a privilege typically reserved for educational or charitable organizations. But the newspaper’s coverage—especially of sensitive cultural and religious topics—has prompted scrutiny over whether it is fulfilling the neutral, civic-minded role expected of a nonprofit. Recent surveys, editorials, and opinion pieces have drawn criticism for appearing to promote specific political viewpoints, leaving many Utahns to wonder if the Tribune is exploiting its tax status to pursue advocacy under the guise of journalism.
As public trust in media continues to erode, the issue of tax-exempt newsrooms is becoming more than a technicality—it’s a matter of public accountability. If the Salt Lake Tribune is to retain the financial and legal advantages of nonprofit status, it must also meet the expectations that come with it: objectivity, broad representation, and a commitment to truth over ideology. Otherwise, policymakers and readers alike may begin to question whether such media organizations still deserve public subsidy.