Sponsorship & Editorial Independence Policy

Sponsorship & Editorial Independence Policy

Cape Town News operates as an independent Western Cape newsroom committed to public interest reporting.

1. Editorial Independence

All editorial decisions are made independently of commercial interests. Sponsors and advertisers do not influence story selection, newsroom priorities, reporting tone, or investigative focus.

2. Separation of Functions

Cape Town News maintains operational separation between its Editorial Division and Commercial Partnerships Division. Sponsorship discussions are handled independently from newsroom decision-making.

3. Sponsor Visibility

Sponsors receive structured brand visibility through defined placements such as acknowledgements, segment alignment, website placements, or digital mentions. Sponsorship does not grant editorial input or influence.

4. Transparency

Paid placements, where applicable, are clearly distinguished from editorial reporting. Cape Town News does not present sponsored content as independent journalism.

5. Alignment Standards

Cape Town News reserves the right to decline sponsorship from organisations that may conflict with its public interest mission or compromise audience trust.

6. Accountability

Cape Town News is committed to fact-based reporting focused on the Western Cape. Potential conflicts of interest are reviewed internally to protect newsroom integrity.