What Is the Integrity Index ?
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The Integrity Index is a public-interest initiative of Fifth Pillar Media Group designed to recognize, measure, and promote integrity, accountability, and ethical leadership across Canadian public life.
It exists to address a growing gap between public trust and institutional behavior. In an era where credibility is often claimed rather than demonstrated, the Integrity Index establishes clear, transparent standards for evaluating conduct not rhetoric across media, industry, government, non-profit organizations, and civil society.
The Index does not exist to punish or shame. Its purpose is to set benchmarks, reward ethical leadership, and make integrity visible and verifiable.
The Online Integrity Index
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At the core of the initiative is a publicly accessible online index and ranking system. This index evaluates companies, organizations, institutions, and individuals against clearly defined criteria focused on ethical conduct, transparency, accountability, and public responsibility.
Evaluations are evidence-based and documented. Rankings are supported by publicly available records, verified reporting, disclosures, correction histories, governance practices, and demonstrated commitments to ethical standards.
The criteria used to assess integrity may include, but are not limited to:
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Transparency in decision-making and communications
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Accuracy and accountability in public statements
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Willingness to correct errors and address harm
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Ethical governance structures and oversight
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Compliance with legal and regulatory obligations
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Demonstrated commitment to public interest over self-interest
All criteria, methodologies, and sources used in scoring are published and subject to review. The Integrity Index is designed to evolve over time, incorporating public feedback, expert consultation, and ongoing refinement.
Annual Integrity Index Gala & Awards
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Each year, Fifth Pillar Media Group will host the Integrity Index Gala, an annual national event recognizing individuals and organizations that demonstrate exceptional commitment to truth, ethics, and public accountability.
Awards are not limited to media. Recognition spans sectors, including:
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Journalism and information integrity
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Industry and corporate leadership
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Government and public service
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Non-profit and civil society leadership
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Education and civic contribution
The gala serves both as a recognition event and as a forum for dialoguebringing together leaders, researchers, creators, and civic participants to reflect on the state of public trust and the standards required to sustain it.
Purpose and Mission
The Integrity Index exists to reinforce a simple principle: trust must be earned, maintained, and demonstrated.
Its mission is to elevate integrity from an abstract value to a measurable standard, to encourage ethical leadership through recognition rather than outrage, and to provide the public with a clear, accessible reference point for evaluating credibility across sectors.
By documenting conduct, rewarding accountability, and making standards visible, the Integrity Index supports Fifth Pillar Media Group’s broader role as The Pillar of Public Trust—strengthening the public record and reinforcing the foundations of an informed, ethical society.