Sponsorship Policy

The Flatlander Sponsorship Policy

The Flatlander is committed to unbiased, independent journalism. Funds from sponsorship allow The Flatlander to cover operating costs and expand operations. The following policy outlines how The Flatlander protects our journalistic integrity and the trust of our readers while working with sponsors.

1. POLICY
   All sponsorship policies are independent of editorial decisions. The Flatlander does not endorse any product or service marked as an advertisement or promoted by a sponsor in The Flatlander publications or website. Editorial content is not compromised by commercial or financial interests, or by any specific arrangements with advertising clients or sponsors. Sponsor messages may not be deceptive or misleading. Sponsor messages should clearly identify the sponsor and the product or service being offered.

2. SCOPE
   This policy covers all functions within The Flatlander and any affiliates that involve sponsorship operations.

3. RESPONSIBILITIES
   It is the responsibility of Kelly-Anne Riess to ensure compliance with this policy.

4. PROCEDURE
   The Flatlander has the right to decline any sponsorship that, in its sole discretion, is incompatible with its mission or inconsistent with the values of The Flatlander publication/website. The Flatlander has the right to stop sponsorships previously accepted. Sponsor content is subject to review by the editor and others at The Flatlander.
   
   The Flatlander has no conflict of interest in what, when, or how we publish content, regardless of sponsorship status. In no case shall separate agreements with The Flatlander or its affiliates supersede this policy.
   1. All native/content advertisements/sponsorship are labeled with “sponsored” text, i.e., sponsored by, made possible by, in partnership with, together with, a message from.
   2. Ads that contain a URL or domain in the body must link to that same URL or domain.
   3. Ads must send users to the same landing page when the ad is clicked.
   4. Landing pages cannot use any of the spam behavior which is recognized as malware.
   5. Ads must directly relate to the content on the landing page.
   6. Ads must clearly represent the company, product and/or service that is being advertised.

5. PROHIBITED ACTIONS
   Advertising for the following categories is prohibited:
   1. Ads must not be false, misleading, fraudulent, or deceptive
   2. Ads cannot insult, harass, or threaten
   3. Ads cannot contain, facilitate, promote or reference the following:
      1. libelous content, political advertisements, politically divisive content
6. VIOLATIONS
   Violations of this policy may lead to consequences up to and including the removal of the ad being served on The Flatlander’s sites and related materials.

7. RESERVATION OF RIGHTS

The Flatlander reserves the right to modify or terminate this Policy with or without notice.

The Flatlander Sponsorship Complaints

Please send complaints about sponsorship to [email protected]

Partnership Clause

The Flatlander retains editorial control of our content in all circumstances. Funding partners do not have input into the stories that will be produced, are not aware of specific stories we are working on, do not review them before publication, and do not have special access to reporters. We will always disclose who our funding partners are to our readers. Partners must sign a clause agreeing to editorial independence before entering into a partnership with The Flatlander.