Sponsored content policy

Our commitment

The Daily Central Coast keeps a clear line between independent editorial and paid content. We will never accept payment to publish editorial coverage, to suppress a story, or to slant a story's angle. Any content that has been paid for, or has been provided in exchange for any benefit, will be clearly and prominently labelled so that a reasonable reader can immediately tell it apart from independent journalism.

What we label as sponsored

• Articles paid for by a sponsor or advertiser.
• Native content written by, or substantially edited by, a sponsor.
• Listings, reviews or guides that include a paid placement.
• Newsletter inclusions paid for by a sponsor.
• Affiliate links where we earn a commission on a sale.

How we label it

Sponsored articles carry a visible “Sponsored” badge at the top of the article, on every article card that links to it, in the article's social share preview, and in any newsletter placement. The sponsor is named in the byline area. The label is never hidden, abbreviated to an unclear acronym, or styled to look like an editorial kicker.

Affiliate links and paid listings are disclosed at the top of the relevant article or listings page. Where a single link is an affiliate link, we add a short disclosure next to it.

Editorial control

Sponsored content must comply with the same accuracy standards as our editorial reporting and with the Australian Consumer Law. We reserve the right to refuse, edit or unpublish sponsored content that is misleading, deceptive, defamatory, or that misrepresents a product, service, person or organisation. Sponsors do not have approval rights over our independent journalism, and our reporters are not assigned to a story on the basis of a commercial relationship.

ACCC guidance

This policy is informed by ACCC guidance on misleading and deceptive conduct under the Australian Consumer Law, including the requirement that commercial content not be disguised as independent editorial. We treat “clear and prominent” disclosure as a baseline, not a maximum.

Complaints and corrections

If you believe a piece of content should have been labelled as sponsored, or that a sponsored label is unclear, please contact us via our contact page. We act on credible complaints within one business day.

Advertising enquiries

For sponsorship and advertising enquiries, see the advertise and sponsor pages.