Last updated: [20-10-2014]

Overview
The Aso Rock finances its operations through advertising, sponsored content, partnerships, and subscriptions. We maintain a strict separation between editorial and commercial operations.

General principles

• Transparency: All paid content and sponsored material will be clearly labeled (e.g., “Sponsored,” “Paid Promotion,” or “Advertisement”).
• Editorial independence: Advertisers do not influence editorial decisions, article content, or news coverage.
• No political advertising in news content: Paid political ads or paid advocacy that seek to influence public office holders or elections will be clearly identified and handled in accordance with local law; editorial content must remain independent.
• No advertorial deception: Native advertising must be clearly distinguished from editorial content. Visual cues and labels are required.

Allowed & disallowed ads

• Allowed: Consumer products, job postings, event promotions, sponsored explainers with clear labeling, programmatic display ads, affiliate links with disclosure.
• Disallowed: Ads promoting hate, violent extremism, illegal products/services, misleading health claims, or gambling where prohibited by law. Political advocacy ads must comply with applicable election rules.

Sponsored content

• Must be identified with a clear label at the top of the piece.
• Sponsored content is subject to our quality standards and must not contain false claims.
• Editorial staff retain the right to refuse sponsored content that fails to meet our standards.

Native advertising & affiliate links

• Native ads will be visually differentiated (border, shading) and labeled as “Sponsored.”
• Affiliate links will be disclosed and follow local legal requirements.

Ad measurement & tracking

• We use third-party ad networks and measurement providers. See our Cookie Policy for tracking details and opt-out options.

Contact for advertisers
Last updated: [DATE]

Overview
The Aso Rock finances its operations through advertising, sponsored content, partnerships, and subscriptions. We maintain a strict separation between editorial and commercial operations.

General principles

• Transparency: All paid content and sponsored material will be clearly labeled (e.g., “Sponsored,” “Paid Promotion,” or “Advertisement”).
• Editorial independence: Advertisers do not influence editorial decisions, article content, or news coverage.
• No political advertising in news content: Paid political ads or paid advocacy that seek to influence public office holders or elections will be clearly identified and handled in accordance with local law; editorial content must remain independent.
• No advertorial deception: Native advertising must be clearly distinguished from editorial content. Visual cues and labels are required.

Allowed & disallowed ads

• Allowed: Consumer products, job postings, event promotions, sponsored explainers with clear labeling, programmatic display ads, affiliate links with disclosure.
• Disallowed: Ads promoting hate, violent extremism, illegal products/services, misleading health claims, or gambling where prohibited by law. Political advocacy ads must comply with applicable election rules.

Sponsored content

• Must be identified with a clear label at the top of the piece.
• Sponsored content is subject to our quality standards and must not contain false claims.
• Editorial staff retain the right to refuse sponsored content that fails to meet our standards.

Native advertising & affiliate links

• Native ads will be visually differentiated (border, shading) and labeled as “Sponsored.”
• Affiliate links will be disclosed and follow local legal requirements.

Ad measurement & tracking

• We use third-party ad networks and measurement providers. See our Cookie Policy for tracking details and opt-out options.

Contact for advertisers
advertise@theasorock.com ensures integrity, transparency, and accountability in all aspects of our editorial process.

Accuracy and Truth

• We prioritize accuracy in our reporting and strive to deliver factual, balanced, and well-sourced information.
• All published content is verified through rigorous fact-checking to ensure credibility.
• Errors, when identified, will be promptly corrected and clearly acknowledged.

Independence and Objectivity

• Our journalism is free from political, commercial, or personal biases.
• We reject external pressures and maintain editorial independence to deliver impartial news to our readers.

Transparency and Accountability

• All sources will be disclosed unless anonymity is essential for their protection or the story’s sensitivity.
• Sponsored or paid content will be clearly marked to distinguish it from editorial content.
• We are accountable to our readers and provide channels for feedback, corrections, and complaints.

Ethical Reporting

• We respect privacy and only publish information of public interest.
• Our reporters approach sensitive stories with empathy, particularly when covering trauma, grief, or distressing events.
• We avoid sensationalism and seek to inform rather than exploit.

Diversity and Inclusion

• We are committed to representing diverse perspectives and giving a voice to marginalized communities.
• Discrimination or stereotypes of any kind have no place in our newsroom or coverage.

Editorial Integrity

• Plagiarism is strictly prohibited. All content must be original or properly credited to its source.
• Conflicts of interest must be disclosed and addressed to avoid compromising the integrity of our content.

Responsible Use of Multimedia

• Photos, videos, and graphics will be used responsibly and will not be manipulated to mislead.
• We respect intellectual property rights and credit all media to its rightful owners.

Child Protection and Sensitive Content

• Special care is taken when reporting on children or vulnerable groups, ensuring their safety and dignity are prioritized.
• Explicit or graphic content will only be published when absolutely necessary and will be accompanied by appropriate warnings.

Fairness to Subjects

• All subjects of news stories are treated with fairness. They are given an opportunity to respond to allegations or criticism when appropriate.
• We strive to avoid undue harm to individuals or organizations through our reporting.

Adherence to Legal Standards

• We comply with all applicable laws, including defamation, copyright, and data protection laws.
• Our team is trained to understand and adhere to legal responsibilities to ensure responsible reporting.

Continuous Improvement

• We are committed to continuous learning and improvement. Regular training ensures our team remains updated on best practices in journalism and ethics.

Commitment to Readers

At The Innovation Times, our readers are our priority. We pledge to deliver trustworthy, engaging, and thought-provoking content that informs and inspires.

If you have questions or feedback about our Editorial Code of Practice, please contact us at editor@theasorock.com.