From our city to the world · Fair, fearless, with youAdvertising and Sponsorship Policy
Last updated: 18 October 2026
Clear identification and editorial independence
Advertising placements are labelled as advertisements, and paid editorial-style material must be identified as sponsored. Disclose the sponsor and relevant financial or affiliate relationship. A commercial arrangement does not guarantee favourable news coverage or override editorial judgement.
Placement and reader experience
Advertisements must not impersonate navigation, article controls, downloads or system messages. Do not encourage readers to click ads, reward clicks or generate artificial traffic. Placements should preserve access to the actual article and avoid accidental clicks. Ad content must comply with the applicable provider’s policies.
Google AdSense
An ads.txt file and account verification tag support the advertising setup; they are not evidence of Google approval. Google scripts run only when the publisher enables the configured, approved integration, confirms the necessary consent setup and the reader accepts optional cookies. Google’s own consent controls may also apply.
Where Google requires a certified consent management platform, the publisher must configure it through the appropriate provider, including Google Privacy & messaging where suitable. The local cookie notice does not certify compliance or replace that platform. We do not promise that policy pages, a notice or any particular article count will obtain AdSense approval.
Private advertisements and restricted pages
Administrators can manage clearly labelled private banners and placement schedules. Advertisers must substantiate claims and provide rights to their creative material. Staff login pages, reporter applications, ID-card pages, previews, errors and empty content screens are not intended as Google advertising inventory.
Enquiries and complaints
Use the public contact email for rates, placement requests or concerns about a misleading advertisement. Include the relevant page, advertiser and a screenshot or description. Advertising enquiries are reviewed before an arrangement is accepted.