RANGE Media is committed to independent, fair and accurate journalism. Funds from advertising and sponsorships allow RANGE Media to cover operating costs and expand coverage.
The following policy explains in detail how we protect our journalistic integrity and the trust of our readers while working with advertisers and sponsors, but the bottom line is:
RANGE’s sponsors and advertisers have zero input into anything we publish, period.
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
RANGE Media’s sponsorship options are designed with small businesses, local non-profits, and community programs in mind. In short, we’re looking to work with anyone who’s striving to make Spokane and the Inland Northwest a better place for everyone. If you share our publication’s values and respect our editorial mission, we’d love to hear from you. Email ads@rangemedia.co
POLICY
All advertising policies are independent of editorial decisions. RANGE Media does not endorse any product or service marked as an advertisement or promoted by a sponsor in RANGE Media publications. Our editorial content is not compromised by commercial or financial interests, or by any specific arrangements with advertising clients or sponsors. Advertisements may not be deceptive or misleading and must be verifiable. Advertisements will clearly identify the advertiser and product or service being offered.
SCOPE
This policy covers all functions within RANGE Media and any affiliates that involve advertising operations.
RESPONSIBILITIES
It is the responsibility of RANGE Media’s advertising coordinator to ensure compliance with this policy.
PROCEDURE
RANGE Media has the right to decline any advertisement that, at its sole discretion, is incompatible with its mission or inconsistent with the values of RANGE Media, the publication/website or the organization, and to stop accepting advertising previously accepted.
Ads are subject to review by the publisher and other relevant worker-owners at RANGE Media. RANGE Media will not change what, when, or how we publish editorial content, regardless of sponsorship status. In no case shall separate agreements with RANGE Media or its affiliates supersede this policy.
- All native/content advertisements/sponsorships are labeled with “Sponsored” text., i.e. sponsored by, made possible by, in partnership with, together with.
- Ads that contain a URL or domain in the body must link to that same URL or domain.
- Landing pages cannot use “fake” close behavior or any of the spam behavior which is recognized as malware.
- Ads must directly relate to the content on the landing page. Ads may not send users to irrelevant or malicious sites.
- Ads must clearly represent the company, product, or service that is being advertised.
PROHIBITED ACTIONS
Advertising for the following categories is prohibited:
- False, misleading, fraudulent, or deceptive advertising.
- Insulting, harassing, or threatening a user.
- Political advertising
- Discrimination agains any racial, political, or religious groups
In addition, RANGE Media will not work with any organizations that:
- promote policies or practices that are antithetical to our values and mission.
- engage in discriminatory practices based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or any other protected status.
- fundamentally run counter to RANGE’s ethical stance of working to create a fair and sustainable society, including but not limited to contributing to the following: active environmental or animal harm, exploitative labor practices, human rights abuses, and the manufacture or sale of weapons.
By avoiding these types of sponsors, we can ensure that our values and mission are aligned with those of our sponsors and that we are not inadvertently supporting organizations that engage in harmful practices.
VIOLATIONS
Violations of this policy may lead to consequences up to and including the refusal to publish an advertisement or the removal of an ad already being served on RANGE Media sites and related material.
PAYMENT
Payment for display advertising will be submitted prior to publication, unless otherwise agreed upon, in which case, payment must be made within 28 days of publication; RANGE Media reserves the right to levy a 10% fee for late payment.
Payment terms for long-term sponsorships will be negotiated by the advertising coordinator.
RESERVATION OF RIGHTS
RANGE Media reserves the right to modify or terminate this Policy with or without notice.
ADVERTISING COMPLAINTS POLICY
Please send any complaints about advertising/sponsorship to sponsorships@rangemedia.co
PARTNERSHIP CLAUSE
RANGE Media 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. Partners must sign a sponsorship agreement including a clause agreeing to editorial independence before entering into a partnership with RANGE Media.
