Consumers Union, the non-profit publisher of "Consumer Reports" magazine, is planning a project to report on the credibility of Web sites, including e-commerce operations.

The idea, CU said, is to "establish, promote and win adherence for core standards to help ensure the credibility of information on the Internet." The Web Credibility Project is supported by three-year grants from the Pew Charitable Trusts and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and a one-year grant from the Open Society Institute. The project also plans to name an advisory board from members of the online media and e-commerce communities; work with groups dedicated to similar goals, such as the Online News Association, Sigma Delta Chi/Society of Professional Journalists and others; provide public education on what makes a Web site credible or not credible; and give out annual awards recognizing the most and the least credible sites on the Web. Beau Brendler, former editorial director of ABCNEWS.com and one of its founders, was named director of the project. The Consumers Union Web Credibility Project plans to launch a Web site to further these goals later this year.