Editorial independence comes first
After Asr may accept advertising, sponsorships, or partnerships to support our work. This policy explains how we handle those relationships without compromising editorial integrity, reader trust, or our values.
Revenue never gives a sponsor approval, veto power, or guaranteed praise.
Readers should know when something is sponsored, paid, or affiliate-related.
Advertising must be legal, accurate, dignified, and aligned with reader trust.
We may reject or remove ads that undermine safety, credibility, or mission.
Contents
01 Core principle
Advertising and sponsorship do not influence our editorial decisions. Coverage is chosen, reported, and published based on public value, not on who pays.
02 Types of advertising and partnerships
We may engage in the following, subject to this policy:
Clearly separated ad placements such as banners, sponsor blocks, or promotional placements.
Support for sections, series, newsletters, events, or special projects, disclosed clearly to readers.
Links that may generate a commission if a reader clicks or purchases, disclosed where required or appropriate.
Limited collaborations that align with our values, editorial boundaries, and reader trust standards.
03 Editorial and advertising separation
- Advertisers do not preview or approve editorial content.
- Editorial staff are not required to produce favorable coverage for advertisers.
- Advertising considerations do not determine story selection, framing, headlines, or conclusions.
- Editorial criticism is not suppressed because a sponsor may dislike it.
A sponsor supports a newsletter or series and is clearly labeled as a sponsor.
A sponsor pays for positive coverage, approval rights, softer criticism, or hidden influence.
04 Labeling and disclosures
Readers deserve to know what they are looking at. We aim for clear, unambiguous labeling.
- Sponsored or paid content is labeled with terms such as “Sponsored,” “Advertisement,” or “Paid Partnership.”
- Affiliate relationships are disclosed where applicable.
- Editorial content is not labeled as sponsored unless it actually is.
- Native advertising, if used, must still be clearly distinguishable from editorial work.
05 Advertising standards
We reserve the right to review, approve, reject, or remove advertising at our discretion. Ads and partners must meet baseline standards of legality, accuracy, dignity, and safety.
- No misleading or deceptive claims.
- No hate, harassment, or dehumanizing content.
- No malware, scams, unsafe products, or fraudulent offers.
- No content designed to inflame, exploit fear, or manipulate vulnerable people.
- No advertising that conflicts with the trust readers place in After Asr.
06 What we do not accept
Without limitation, we do not accept advertising that:
- Promotes hate, violence, harassment, or discrimination.
- Encourages dehumanization or targeting of people or communities.
- Is deceptive, fraudulent, or intentionally misleading.
- Conflicts fundamentally with our values, mission, or reader trust.
- Requires editorial control or influence as a condition.
- Attempts to disguise paid influence as independent editorial judgment.
07 Conflicts of interest
If a significant advertiser or sponsor becomes the subject of editorial coverage, we aim to handle that coverage fairly and independently.
- We may disclose relevant relationships when they are material to reader trust.
- We do not avoid coverage solely because it may displease an advertiser.
- We may separate staff responsibilities when needed to protect independence.
08 Changes to this policy
This Advertising and Sponsorship Policy may be updated from time to time. When changes are made, the “Last Updated” date at the top will be revised.
09 Contact
Advertising or partnership inquiries, and questions about this policy, can be sent to [email protected].
The purpose of advertising is to support the publication, not steer it. After Asr protects the difference because reader trust is worth more than any sponsorship.