Ethical Guidelines for Advertisers

We Do Not Accept Advertising From the Following Sectors

1. Tobacco and Nicotine Industries

   No advertisements will be accepted for tobacco products of any kind — including cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes, vaping products, or related accessories. These industries profit from addiction and public health damage.

2. Arms and Weapons Manufacturers

   We reject all advertising from entities involved in the manufacture, distribution, or export of firearms, ammunition, military-grade equipment, or weaponised surveillance technologies.

3. Fossil Fuel Corporations

   No ad space will be sold to oil, coal, or gas companies — or their lobbying arms — that contribute to climate change, environmental destruction, or disinformation about the climate crisis.

4. Companies Involved in Land Grabbing or Ecological Displacement

   We will not promote real estate, agribusiness, mining, or industrial entities implicated in illegal land acquisition, displacement of communities, deforestation, or habitat destruction.

5. Animal Testing and Laboratory Exploitation

   We do not accept advertising from cosmetic, pharmaceutical, or scientific research companies that use animals in inhumane testing conditions or refuse transparency regarding animal welfare practices. Ethical alternatives must be clearly demonstrated.

6. Authoritarian Regimes and Political Disinformation Networks

   We do not accept advertising from authoritarian governments, political front groups, foreign propaganda machines, or entities engaged in election interference, disinformation campaigns, or hate speech.

7. Companies with Histories of Fascism, Nazism, Slavery, Forced Labour, or Worker Exploitation

   We reject advertisements from brands linked to historical slavery, modern-day forced labour, exploitative supply chains, sweatshop manufacturing, union busting, or corporate practices that violate workers’ rights.

8. Gambling and Betting Platforms

   No ads will be accepted from casinos, online betting platforms, sports betting services, or lottery operators. These industries often target and harm financially vulnerable populations.

9. Sexually Exploitative or Objectifying Content

   We do not accept advertising that promotes adult entertainment, escort services, pornography, or any sexually suggestive or degrading content that reinforces harmful stereotypes or objectifies individuals.

10. Pharmaceuticals with Unverified Claims

    All pharmaceutical ads must comply with rigorous medical standards. We do not accept ads for unapproved treatments, dubious supplements, or any product that makes misleading or exaggerated health claims.

11. Predatory Financial Products

    We reject advertising from payday lenders, exploitative loan schemes, high-risk cryptocurrency platforms, and any financial services targeting people in economic distress with deceptive or harmful products.

Advertisers We Review on a Case-by-Case Basis

Some categories may be allowed under strict scrutiny, subject to full transparency, compliance with relevant laws, and alignment with public interest:

• Political Ads

  Only accepted from domestic campaigns. Must disclose full funding sources, adhere to election regulations, and must not include hate speech or misinformation.

• Financial Services

  Banks, fintech platforms, and investment firms must demonstrate regulatory compliance and consumer protection standards. No misleading interest rates or fine print.

• Technology Companies

  Tech platforms must not promote surveillance capitalism, algorithmic discrimination, AI misuse, or social manipulation. Transparency about data use is essential.

Zero Tolerance for Hate or Division

We will not publish any advertisement — regardless of the sponsor — that promotes or normalises:

• Racism, casteism, or ethnic supremacism
• Communal or religious intolerance
• Xenophobia and refugee hatred
• Sexism, misogyny, or gender-based violence
• Ableism or ageism
• Nationalist aggression
• Corporate greenwashing or deceptive sustainability claims
• Climate change denial or pseudoscience

Our Commitment

Editorial Independence Comes First