Editorial
Sponsored content policy
How The Daily Wollongong labels, edits and discloses sponsored content for Wollongong readers. Aligned with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) guidance on native advertising and the Australian Consumer Law.
1. What we mean by sponsored content
Sponsored content is any article, newsletter slot, audio segment or social post that a third party has paid us to publish or influence. This includes native advertising, branded content, promoted listings, affiliate placements and paid partnerships.
2. Clear and prominent labelling
Every piece of sponsored content carries a clear and prominent label — most often “Sponsored”, “Sponsored content” or “Promoted” — displayed before the headline and repeated on cards, in the newsletter, and on social shares. We do not disguise commercial messages as independent journalism.
3. Editorial independence
Advertisers do not have approval rights over our independent newsroom coverage. They do not see news stories before publication, cannot influence which stories we run, and cannot demand favourable treatment. Editorial decisions are made by the The Daily Wollongong editorial desk alone.
4. Accuracy and consumer law
Sponsored content must comply with the Australian Consumer Law, including the prohibitions on misleading or deceptive conduct (s.18) and false or misleading representations (s.29). Claims about price, performance, testimonials, scarcity or endorsements must be accurate and substantiated. We reject copy that we believe could mislead Wollongong readers.
5. What we will not accept
- Gambling promotions targeted at minors.
- Therapeutic goods or health claims that breach the TGA Code.
- Predatory financial products or unlicensed credit offers.
- Content from political parties without prior written authorisation.
- Anything that disparages an identifiable group or individual.
6. Disclosures and affiliate links
Where an article contains affiliate links that earn us a commission, we disclose that at the top of the article. We do not let the prospect of affiliate revenue change which products or businesses we recommend in independent coverage.
7. Reader complaints
If you believe a piece of The Daily Wollongong sponsored content breaches this policy or Australian Consumer Law, contact our editor at editor@thedailynetwork.com.au. We review every complaint and respond within five business days.
8. Updates
We review this policy at least once a year and whenever ACCC guidance materially changes. Updates are dated in the page footer.