Branded Sponsored Content Policy

Overview

Aaj Bikel aims to familiarize you with the terms and conditions related to the publication of Branded/Sponsored content on the Website through this Branded/Sponsored Content Policy.

Scope

For a journalistic platform to be the voice of the people, it is essential that its audience trusts it. We believe this trust begins by being transparent with them, and therefore, editorial integrity becomes an indispensable value for such a platform. The objective of Aaj Bikel’s Branded/Sponsored Content Policy is to safeguard its editorial decision from any external influence. For us, “branded content” and/or “Branded/Sponsored content” are those contents that are either featured by a business associate or are influenced by them, and such activity is done in exchange for certain value. We derive our revenue from the placement of advertisements on our Website and Branded/Sponsored posts.

Types of Branded/Sponsored Content

Below are examples, which include, but are not limited to, the following types of branded content:

Native advertising articles Social videos with a sponsor tag or elements Product placement Sponsored live events Sponsored collections of stories Paid video segments

Policy

We do not accept any kind of compensation for editorial reportage. There is a clear dividing line between the business and editorial teams. The interest of the business team can never override our editorial independence. Content for Branded/Sponsored posts is developed by the business team, and the editorial team has no role or involvement whatsoever in this process. If the editorial team raises an objection to any of the Branded/Sponsored posts, the final decision of the editorial team shall be taken into consideration.

To ensure that the advertisements on our Website comply with all applicable laws, the responsibility lies with the respective advertisers. The advertised content does not reflect the views of Aaj Bikel or its editors. However, if we notice an advertisement that, in our opinion, comprises demonstrably false or unlawful content, or content that may disparage or cause harm to our reputation, brand, or goodwill, we hold the absolute right to refuse and/or remove the advertisement partially or wholly, in our sole discretion. In all our branded content, it is clearly mentioned inside the content that it is “Branded/Sponsored Content.” We place this mention distinctly so that it does not escape our readers’ attention.

As a socially conscious organization, we do not accept or publish certain kinds of advertorial content, including those that:

Are received from or on behalf of political parties and their candidates Advocate the use of alcohol, drugs, and tobacco-based products Contain profanity or obscenities Are socially regressive in nature Contain hateful or violent content against any individual, community, group, or organization

Usage of the phrase “Supported by”

In order to distinguish between the editorial content and the rest of the content on the Website, we tag the editorial content with the phrase “Supported by.” Further, this phrase is also used for such content that we produce from funding accepted from global foundations which lend support to certain projects.

Consideration for new projects as well as for content in the pipeline is accepted from third parties. During the process of any such consideration being offered to us and before finalizing it, due consultation is taken from our senior editors, and the most senior editor concludes the decision in relation to the deal. The subject matter of certain editorial content which contains branding of a third party may be suggested by such third party; however, this does not impose an obligation on our editor to take up the suggested idea. The content is written and edited by us, to the same standards expected in all of our journalism. We do not show any copies to funders for their approval. We recognize that any set of guidelines is not sufficient to address every situation or issue that may arise in the course of doing business, especially given the pace of change within the media industry. Therefore, you are advised to check the guidelines timely since they may be updated as and when required. We will remain teachable and open to suggestions, criticism, and correction from our readers and other interested parties. More importantly, we always stay open to new ideas to improve, particularly your suggestions, criticism, and/or corrections.

General Requirements

Disclosures

All required disclosures, disclaimers, and warnings in ads must be clear and conspicuous, and advertisers must be accurately and clearly identified in the ad.

Privacy: Data Collection and Usage

Ads may not collect information about racial or ethnic origin, political opinion, religious or philosophical beliefs, or trade-union membership. We permit health-related surveys only from accredited research institutions or public health organizations. The advertiser’s privacy policy must be readily accessible where any personal information is collected. Personal information must be collected and processed securely. Ads that deceive users into providing personal information under false pretenses are prohibited. Ads must not state or imply knowledge of personal data, sensitive information, online activity, or the precise whereabouts of a user.

Entertainment

Ads for movies, video games, and television shows must be age-targeted to the intended audience of the content they promote. When illegal, regulated, dangerous, violent, or otherwise harmful elements are presented in a fictional, newsworthy, or documentary context, we will review them based on appropriateness for the targeted audience and whether the fictional nature is clear enough to the user.

Gaming, Gambling, and Lotteries

Our ad policies regarding the promotion of Gaming and Gambling Services apply to the promotion of online casinos, brick-and-mortar casinos, lotteries, daily fantasy sports, and any product or service (including online or mobile games) that asks to pay to play games of chance to win prizes with real-world value (“Gaming and Gambling Services”).

Advertisers for Gaming and Gambling Services must comply with all applicable licensing or registration requirements and must provide proof of the current license or registration. All Gaming and Gambling Services advertisers must be pre-approved by us. Ads for Gaming and Gambling Services must not:

Target territories where the advertiser is not authorized to operate. Target or be likely to appeal particularly to people under the legal gambling age in the territory where the ad will run. Glorify gambling or misrepresent the benefits of participation. Encourage individuals to play beyond their means. Promote gambling tipster services (information about odds or offers available from gambling operators).

Financial Products and Services

Ads for financial products and services must clearly and prominently disclose all applicable material terms and conditions to consumers prior to the submission of an application. Ads for loans must disclose, among other things, APR, repayment period, fees and costs, penalties, and the contact information of the lending institution. Ads for products intended for a limited audience should only be targeted to that audience. For example, if a credit card offer is limited to individuals over the age of 18, the offer’s ad campaign must be age-targeted to 18+.

Ads for certain complex financial products, which may include cryptocurrency wallets and trading platforms, require prior approval. We prohibit:

Get-rich-quick offers, pyramid schemes, or other deceptive or too-good-to-be-true financial offers (see General Requirements: Fraud for more details). Promising guaranteed financial returns on speculative investments. Ads that promote particular securities or that provide or allege to provide insider tips. Payday loans or predatory lending.

Prohibited Content

Harassment: Ads should not promote harassment, bullying, or shaming. For example, fitness ads should not belittle anyone based on body shape or size. We prohibit profanity, obscenity, and obscene gestures.

Violent or Disturbing: We prohibit the depiction of real-life graphic violence in creatives. We also prohibit the glorification of violence, including any glorification of self-harm, war, murder, abuse, or animal abuse. Additionally, we prohibit disturbing content that may cause distress, such as graphic depictions of gore, physical afflictions, bodily fluids, and certain medical or cosmetic procedures.

Deceptive Content: We are vigilant in our enforcement against fraudulent ads. Fraud includes a range of scams and deceptive marketing practices that abuse community trust or otherwise entice users to make purchases or engage in activities under misleading pretenses. We prohibit ads that are false or misleading, including deceptive claims, offers, functionality, or business practices. We also prohibit unauthorized or undisclosed branded/sponsored content, promotion of fraudulent goods or services, including counterfeit documents or certificates, or counterfeit products. Furthermore, ads that contain deceiving calls to action or lead to landing pages unrelated to the brand or content being advertised are prohibited. Cloaking, otherwise restricting landing page access, or modifications to URL content are also prohibited.

Hate Speech, Hate Groups, Terrorism, and Violent Extremism

To foster a welcoming platform, we prohibit hateful, discriminatory, or extremist content that undermines our commitment to safety and inclusion. Hate speech is content that demeans, defames, or promotes discrimination or violence based on race, color, caste, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, immigration status, socio-economic status, age, weight, or pregnancy status. We avoid perpetuating stereotypes based on any of the categories listed above.

Illegal Activity

We prohibit ads that facilitate or encourage illegal activity (conduct, products, or enterprises). For example, ads should not depict illegal drug use, promote the illegal wildlife trade, or promote products and services derived from endangered or threatened species (for example: elephant ivory products, traditional medicine, or supplements derived from tigers, rhinos, sharks, etc.).
Overview

Aaj Bikel aims to familiarize you with the terms and conditions related to the publication of Branded/Sponsored content on the Website through this Branded/Sponsored Content Policy.

Scope

For a journalistic platform to be the voice of the people, it is essential that its audience trusts it. We believe this trust begins by being transparent with them, and therefore, editorial integrity becomes an indispensable value for such a platform. The objective of Aaj Bikel Branded/Sponsored Content Policy is to safeguard its editorial decision from any external influence. For us, “branded content” and/or “Branded/Sponsored content” are those contents that are either featured by a business associate or are influenced by them, and such activity is done in exchange for certain value. We derive our revenue from the placement of advertisements on our Website and Branded/Sponsored posts.

Types of Branded/Sponsored Content

Below are examples which include, but are not limited to, the following types of branded content:

• Native advertising articles
• Social videos with a sponsor tag or elements
• Product placement
• Sponsored live events
• Sponsored collections of stories
• Paid video segments

Policy

We do not accept any kind of compensation for editorial reportage. There is a clear dividing line between the business and editorial teams. The interest of the business team can never override our editorial independence. Content for Branded/Sponsored posts is developed by the business team, and the editorial team has no role or involvement whatsoever in this process. If the editorial team raises an objection to any of the Branded/Sponsored posts, the final decision of the editorial team shall be taken into consideration.

To ensure that the advertisements on our Website comply with all applicable laws, the responsibility lies with the respective advertisers. The advertised content does not reflect the views of Aaj Bikel or its editors. However, if we notice an advertisement that, in our opinion, comprises demonstrably false or unlawful content, or content that may disparage or cause harm to our reputation, brand, or goodwill, we hold the absolute right to refuse and/or remove the advertisement partially or wholly, in our sole discretion. In all our branded content, it is clearly mentioned inside the content that it is “Branded/Sponsored Content.” We place this mention distinctly so that it does not escape our readers’ attention.

As a socially conscious organization, we do not accept or publish certain kinds of advertorial content, including those that:

• Are received from or on behalf of political parties and their candidates
• Advocate the use of alcohol, drugs, and tobacco-based products
• Contain profanity or obscenities
• Are socially regressive in nature
• Contain hateful or violent content against any individual, community, group, or organization

Usage of the phrase “Supported by”

In order to distinguish between the editorial content and the rest of the content on the Website, we tag the editorial content with the phrase “Supported by.” Further, this phrase is also used for such content that we produce from funding accepted from global foundations which lend support to certain projects.

Consideration for new projects as well as for content in the pipeline is accepted from third parties. During the process of any such consideration being offered to us and before finalizing it, due consultation is taken from our senior editors, and the most senior editor concludes the decision in relation to the deal. The subject matter of certain editorial content which contains branding of a third party may be suggested by such third party; however, this does not impose an obligation on our editor to take up the suggested idea. The content is written and edited by us, to the same standards expected in all of our journalism. We do not show any copies to funders for their approval. We recognize that any set of guidelines is not sufficient to address every situation or issue that may arise in the course of doing business, especially given the pace of change within the media industry. Therefore, you are advised to check the guidelines timely since they may be updated as and when required. We will remain teachable and open to suggestions, criticism, and correction from our readers and other interested parties. More importantly, we always stay open to new ideas to improve, particularly your suggestions, criticism, and/or corrections.

General Requirements

Disclosures

All required disclosures, disclaimers, and warnings in ads must be clear and conspicuous, and advertisers must be accurately and clearly identified in the ad.

Privacy: Data Collection and Usage

Ads may not collect information about racial or ethnic origin, political opinion, religious or philosophical beliefs, or trade-union membership. We permit health-related surveys only from accredited research institutions or public health organizations. The advertiser’s privacy policy must be readily accessible where any personal information is collected. Personal information must be collected and processed securely. Ads that deceive users into providing personal information under false pretenses are prohibited. Ads must not state or imply knowledge of personal data, sensitive information, online activity, or the precise whereabouts of a user.

Entertainment

Ads for movies, video games, and television shows must be age-targeted to the intended audience of the content they promote. When illegal, regulated, dangerous, violent, or otherwise harmful elements are presented in a fictional, newsworthy, or documentary context, we will review them based on appropriateness for the targeted audience and whether the fictional nature is clear enough to the user.

Gaming, Gambling, and Lotteries

Our ad policies regarding the promotion of Gaming and Gambling Services apply to the promotion of online casinos, brick-and-mortar casinos, lotteries, daily fantasy sports, and any product or service (including online or mobile games) that asks to pay to play games of chance to win prizes with real-world value (“Gaming and Gambling Services”).

Advertisers for Gaming and Gambling Services must comply with all applicable licensing or registration requirements and must provide proof of the current license or registration. All Gaming and Gambling Services advertisers must be pre-approved by us. Ads for Gaming and Gambling Services must not:

• Target territories where the advertiser is not authorized to operate.
• Target or be likely to appeal particularly to people under the legal gambling age in the territory where the ad will run.
• Glorify gambling or misrepresent the benefits of participation.
• Encourage individuals to play beyond their means.
• Promote gambling tipster services (information about odds or offers available from gambling operators).

Financial Products and Services

Ads for financial products and services must clearly and prominently disclose all applicable material terms and conditions to consumers prior to the submission of an application. Ads for loans must disclose, among other things, APR, repayment period, fees and costs, penalties, and the contact information of the lending institution. Ads for products intended for a limited audience should only be targeted to that audience. For example, if a credit card offer is limited to individuals over the age of 18, the offer’s ad campaign must be age-targeted to 18+.

Ads for certain complex financial products, which may include cryptocurrency wallets and trading platforms, require prior approval. We prohibit:

• Get-rich-quick offers, pyramid schemes, or other deceptive or too-good-to-be-true financial offers (see General Requirements: Fraud for more details).
• Promising guaranteed financial returns on speculative investments.
• Ads that promote particular securities or that provide or allege to provide insider tips.
• Payday loans or predatory lending.

Prohibited Content

Harassment: Ads should not promote harassment, bullying, or shaming. For example, fitness ads should not belittle anyone based on body shape or size. We prohibit profanity, obscenity, and obscene gestures.

Violent or Disturbing: We prohibit the depiction of real-life graphic violence in creatives. We also prohibit the glorification of violence, including any glorification of self-harm, war, murder, abuse, or animal abuse. Additionally, we prohibit disturbing content that may cause distress, such as graphic depictions of gore, physical afflictions, bodily fluids, and certain medical or cosmetic procedures.

Deceptive Content: We are vigilant in our enforcement against fraudulent ads. Fraud includes a range of scams and deceptive marketing practices that abuse community trust or otherwise entice users to make purchases or engage in activities under misleading pretenses. We prohibit ads that are false or misleading, including deceptive claims, offers, functionality, or business practices. We also prohibit unauthorized or undisclosed branded/sponsored content, promotion of fraudulent goods or services, including counterfeit documents or certificates, or counterfeit products. Furthermore, ads that contain deceiving calls to action or lead to landing pages unrelated to the brand or content being advertised are prohibited. Cloaking, otherwise restricting landing page access, or modifications to URL content are also prohibited.

Hate Speech, Hate Groups, Terrorism, and Violent Extremism

To foster a welcoming platform, we prohibit hateful, discriminatory, or extremist content that undermines our commitment to safety and inclusion. Hate speech is content that demeans, defames, or promotes discrimination or violence based on race, color, caste, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, immigration status, socio-economic status, age, weight, or pregnancy status. We avoid perpetuating stereotypes based on any of the categories listed above.

Illegal Activity

We prohibit ads that facilitate or encourage illegal activity (conduct, products, or enterprises). For example, ads should not depict illegal drug use, promote the illegal wildlife trade, or promote products and services derived from endangered or threatened species (for example: elephant ivory products, traditional medicine, or supplements derived from tigers, rhinos, sharks, etc.).