Newspapers audited by ABC will be able to apply for an international certificate demonstrating their commitment to ethical, high quality and transparent journalism.

The independent circulation auditor has become the first UK-based certifier for the Journalism Trust Initiative audit.

The JTI is an international benchmark, developed at the initiative of Reporters Without Borders, used to assess the professionalism of news publishers.

Achieving certification following ABC’s independent audit will demonstrate a media outlet’s commitment to the ertics, quality and transparency required by the JTI.

ABC chief executive Simon Redlich, pictured, said: “We’re proud to be appointed as the first UK certifier for the Journalism Trust Initiative.

“As an industry-owned auditor, our role has always been to strengthen trust in media by enabling companies to demonstrate their credibility in tangible ways.

“This aligns perfectly with the JTI’s aim to provide trustworthy journalism with a tool to clearly distinguish itself in our busy information space.”