Why This Policy Exists

Readers should be able to understand whether material was produced by the editorial team or exists because of a commercial relationship.

Advertising and commercial activity must not be presented in a way that causes readers to believe paid promotional material is editorial reporting.

This policy also establishes the boundaries that would apply if Dubai Times introduces sponsored formats in the future.

What These Terms Mean

Sponsored Content

Content created, commissioned or published in exchange for payment or another material commercial benefit and clearly identified as sponsored material.

Partner Content

A possible label for commercial material created with or for an identified commercial partner.

Advertisement

Paid promotional material that is separate from Dubai Times editorial content.

Paid Promotion

A general commercial label that may be used where appropriate if a paid format does not fit another clearer label.

Press Release

An announcement supplied by a company, authority, organisation or other interested party. A press release is source material and is not automatically editorial coverage.

Editorial Content

Content whose selection, sourcing, conclusions and publication are controlled through the Dubai Times editorial process rather than purchased by an advertiser or commercial partner.

Current Monetisation

Dubai Times currently uses Google AdSense display and programmatic advertising.

Advertising supplied through an advertising platform is separate from Dubai Times editorial content.

The presence of advertising on a page does not mean that an advertiser selected, commissioned, approved or influenced the editorial article appearing alongside it.

Sponsored Editorial Content Is Not Currently Offered

Dubai Times does not currently sell:

• sponsored editorial articles;
• advertorials presented as ordinary editorial articles;
• paid editorial interviews;
• paid favourable profiles;
• paid positive reviews;
• paid ranking positions;
• paid inclusion in editorial recommendations;
• affiliate editorial placements;
• paid press-release publication;
• sponsored research or reports;
• paid social amplification as a listed commercial product.

Press Releases and Company Announcements

Companies, public authorities, organisations and other sources may send relevant press releases, statements or announcements to the Dubai Times newsroom.

Such material may be considered as a source for editorial coverage where it is relevant to Dubai Times readers.

Sending a press release does not guarantee:

• publication;
• republication of the supplied text;
• a link;
• favourable treatment;
• a positive headline;
• a positive editorial conclusion.

Press releases may establish what an organisation says or announces, but promotional claims should not automatically be presented as independently verified facts.

Editorial material can be sent to editorial@dubaitimes.org.

If Sponsored Formats Are Introduced in the Future

If Dubai Times introduces sponsored content, paid material must be clearly distinguishable from editorial content.

A label should be visible enough for an ordinary reader to understand the commercial nature of the material without needing to search for a disclosure.

Commercial Review

Commercial suitability and editorial judgement are separate decisions.

Potential paid material should not be accepted merely because an advertiser is willing to pay for it.

Higher-Risk Topics

Dubai Times covers topics involving finance, property, residency, immigration, healthcare, safety and other consequential decisions.

Any future commercial material involving these subjects would require particular caution around claims of:

• guaranteed financial returns;
• guaranteed investment results;
• guaranteed property appreciation;
• guaranteed visa or residency outcomes;
• guaranteed legal outcomes;
• medical diagnosis or treatment claims;
• unsupported safety claims.

Dubai Times content does not constitute personalised medical, legal, financial, tax, investment, mental health or other professional advice.

Rankings, Reviews and Recommendations

Dubai Times does not currently sell positive editorial reviews or ranking positions.

Commercial relationships do not determine inclusion, ordering or editorial conclusions in rankings, comparisons or recommendations.

Corrections and Commercial Pressure

Commercial organisations do not receive special authority to demand changes to reporting simply because coverage is unfavourable.

If a company identifies a genuine factual error, it may use the same corrections process available to other readers and sources.

Correction decisions are based on evidence, not advertising relationships.

Related Policies

• Advertise With Dubai Times
• Editorial Policy
• Ethics Policy
• Ownership and Funding
• Rankings and Reviews Methodology
• Corrections Policy