Editorial policy
Sponsored content policy
The Daily Townsville follows the Australian Consumer Law and ACCC guidance on advertising and endorsements. This page explains how we label and separate sponsored content from independent journalism.
What we mean by sponsored content
"Sponsored content" covers any article, listing, newsletter placement, podcast segment or social post where a third party has paid us, given us something of value, or provided goods or services we would not otherwise have received. It also covers affiliate links where The Daily Townsville may earn a commission.
How we label it
- Every sponsored article carries a clear Sponsored badge above the headline.
- The sponsor is named at the top of the article, not buried at the bottom.
- Sponsored newsletter placements are introduced with the word "Sponsored" and the sponsor name.
- Affiliate links inside otherwise-editorial articles are disclosed in a sentence near the link, so a reader sees the disclosure before clicking.
What sponsors can and cannot do
- Sponsors may suggest topics, supply photography, and review their sponsored article for factual accuracy about their own business.
- Sponsors do not have copy approval over the rest of The Daily Townsville, do not see unpublished editorial articles, and do not influence which independent stories we publish.
- We do not accept sponsorship that would mislead readers about the commercial nature of a piece, including "native" placements that imitate our editorial design without the Sponsored label.
Independence of news coverage
A business that sponsors The Daily Townsville receives no preferential treatment in our news coverage. If a sponsor is the subject of a legitimate news story (good or bad), our newsroom covers it on the same terms as any other organisation. We will disclose the commercial relationship in the story when it is material.
Gifts, travel and review samples
Where a review is based on a sample, complimentary meal, ticket, or hosted travel, we say so in the article. We do not promise positive coverage in exchange for gifts.
Affiliate links
Some product round-ups include affiliate links. If a reader buys through one of those links, The Daily Townsville may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to the reader. Affiliate participation does not change our recommendation, and round-ups are clearly tagged.
Complaints and corrections
If you believe a sponsored placement on The Daily Townsville is unclear, misleading, or in breach of this policy, please email our editor. We will investigate and, where appropriate, correct the labelling or take the placement down. You can also report misleading advertising directly to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.