Advertising Policy

CarNews KE Advertising and Sponsored Content Policy

Effective Date: February, 2026

1. Introduction

CarNews KE (“CarNews KE”, “CarNews Digital”, “CN”, “we”, “our”, or “us”) is committed to maintaining the trust of our readers while supporting the sustainability of independent automotive journalism.

This Advertising and Sponsored Content Policy explains:

• How advertising and sponsorships are managed;
• How sponsored content is identified;
• The separation between editorial and commercial activities;
• Our standards for advertising partners and campaigns.

Transparency and editorial independence remain fundamental principles of CarNews KE.

2. Editorial Independence

Advertising relationships do not influence:

• News reporting;
• Vehicle reviews;
• Rankings and recommendations;
• Editorial opinions;
• Investigative reporting;
• Magazine content;
• Video productions;
• Social media editorial content.

The editorial team operates independently from commercial and advertising functions.

Advertisers do not receive approval rights over editorial content.

3. Types of Commercial Content

CarNews KE may publish or display:

Display Advertising

Including:

• Banner advertisements;
• Sidebar placements;
• Homepage takeovers;
• Video advertisements;
• Mobile advertisements.

Sponsored Content

Commercial content created in partnership with brands.

Advertorials

Promotional articles designed to communicate marketing messages.

Partner Content

Collaborative content developed with approved partners.

Affiliate Content

Content containing commission-generating links.

Event Sponsorships

Coverage associated with sponsored events or activations.

Magazine/ Newsletter Sponsorships

Commercial placements within email communications and the quarterly digital magazine.

Video Sponsorships

Sponsored integrations and branded video segments.

4. Clear Identification

Commercial content will be clearly identified using labels such as:

• Advertisement;
• Sponsored;
• Sponsored Content;
• Partner Content;
• Brand Feature;
• Presented By;
• In Partnership With.

Readers should always be able to distinguish between editorial and commercial material.

5. Sponsored Articles

Sponsored articles may:

• Highlight products or services;
• Promote events or campaigns;
• Provide educational or industry information.

Sponsored content will be clearly marked.

Such content may be produced by:

• Advertisers;
• CarNews KE;
• Joint collaborations.

Publication does not imply editorial endorsement.

6. Advertorial Standards

Advertorials must:

• Be factual;
• Avoid misleading claims;
• Comply with applicable laws;
• Be clearly identified as commercial material;
• Respect consumer protection principles.

CarNews KE reserves the right to reject or edit advertising material that fails to meet these standards.

7. Manufacturer Relationships

CarNews KE works with:

• Vehicle manufacturers;
• Importers and distributors;
• Dealerships;
• Suppliers;
• Mobility companies;
• Financial institutions;
• Insurance providers.

Commercial relationships do not guarantee:

• Positive reviews;
• Editorial coverage;
• Rankings;
• Awards;
• Recommendations.

Negative or critical coverage will not be withheld because of advertising relationships.

8. Test Vehicles and Media Events

Manufacturers may provide:

• Test vehicles;
• Event invitations;
• Accommodation;
• Travel arrangements;
• Access to media launches.

Acceptance of such support does not influence editorial conclusions.

Where appropriate, disclosures may include:

Vehicle provided by the manufacturer for evaluation purposes.

or

Travel and accommodation were arranged by the event organizer.

Editorial opinions remain independent.

9. Affiliate Marketing

CarNews KE may participate in affiliate programs.

Affiliate links may generate commissions when readers:

• Purchase products;
• Subscribe to services;
• Complete transactions.

Affiliate relationships do not affect editorial recommendations.

Products are selected based on relevance and value to readers.

Where applicable, content may include notices such as:

This article contains affiliate links. CarNews KE may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

10. Video Sponsorships

Video content may include:

• Sponsor mentions;
• Product integrations;
• Brand placements;
• Pre-roll advertisements;
• Sponsored episodes.

Sponsored videos will include appropriate disclosures.

Sponsors do not control editorial opinions expressed in reviews or commentary.

11. Magazine/ Newsletter Sponsorships

Newsletters may contain:

• Advertisements;
• Sponsored placements;
• Partner promotions;
• Affiliate links.

Commercial messages will be identified where appropriate.

Subscribers may unsubscribe at any time.

12. Native Advertising

Native advertising refers to promotional material designed to resemble editorial content.

CarNews KE requires that native advertising:

• Be clearly labelled;
• Avoid misleading readers;
• Maintain transparency.

Readers should never be misled regarding the commercial nature of content.

13. Political Advertising

CarNews KE generally focuses on automotive and mobility content.

Political advertisements may be restricted or refused at our discretion.

CarNews KE reserves the right to reject campaigns that:

• Promote misinformation;
• Incite hatred or violence;
• Violate laws or regulations;
• Create reputational risk.

14. Prohibited Advertising

CarNews KE may reject advertisements involving:

• Illegal products or services;
• Fraudulent schemes;
• Counterfeit products;
• Hate speech;
• Discrimination;
• Misleading financial claims;
• Adult content;
• Gambling operations prohibited by law;
• Malware or malicious software;
• Unsafe or deceptive practices.

Acceptance of advertising remains at the sole discretion of CarNews KE.

15. Accuracy of Advertisements

Advertisers are responsible for:

• Claims made in advertisements;
• Product descriptions;
• Pricing information;
• Promotional statements;
• Compliance with applicable laws.

CarNews KE does not independently verify all claims made by advertisers and does not guarantee the accuracy of third-party promotions.

16. User Data and Advertising

Advertising technologies may use:

• Cookies;
• Analytics tools;
• Audience measurement services;
• Performance tracking systems.

Personal information is handled in accordance with the CarNews KE Privacy Policy.

CarNews KE does not sell personal information.

17. Third-Party Websites

Advertisements and sponsored content may link to third-party websites.

CarNews KE is not responsible for:

• External content;
• Privacy practices;
• Products or services offered;
• Availability of third-party platforms.

Users access external websites at their own risk.

18. Rejection of Advertising

CarNews KE reserves the right to:

• Reject advertisements;
• Modify placements;
• Suspend campaigns;
• Remove sponsored material;
• Decline partnerships;

without obligation to provide reasons.

Acceptance of previous campaigns does not guarantee future acceptance.

19. Cancellation and Rescheduling

Advertising bookings, sponsored content, campaigns, partnerships, placements, productions, and other commercial engagements are subject to the CarNews KE Cancellation and Rescheduling Policy.

Please refer to the Cancellation and Rescheduling Policy.

20. Editorial Corrections

Errors discovered in sponsored content may be corrected for accuracy and clarity.

CarNews KE reserves the right to:

• Add clarifications;
• Update information;
• Remove inaccurate content.

Transparency remains a priority.

21. Separation Between Editorial and Commercial Teams

CarNews KE seeks to maintain a clear distinction between:

Editorial Functions

Responsible for:

• Journalism;
• Reviews;
• News reporting;
• Opinions.

Commercial Functions

Responsible for:

• Advertising sales;
• Sponsorships;
• Brand partnerships;
• Marketing initiatives.

Commercial considerations do not dictate editorial decisions.

22. Industry Events and Awards

Participation in events, sponsorships, and partnerships does not guarantee:

• Awards;
• Editorial coverage;
• Positive assessments.

Recognition and recommendations are based on editorial judgment.

23. Changes to this Policy

CarNews KE may revise this Advertising and Sponsored Content Policy periodically.

Changes become effective upon publication.

Continued use of our Services constitutes acceptance of revised policies.

24. Contact Information

Advertising Department

CarNews Digital (CarNews KE)

Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Email: ads@carnews.co.ke
Website: www.carnews.co.ke

For advertising enquiries, sponsorship opportunities, or campaign information, please get in touch with the Advertising Department.

Our Commitment

CarNews KE believes that readers deserve transparency.

Advertising supports the sustainability of independent automotive journalism, but trust remains our most valuable asset.

We are committed to ensuring that readers can clearly distinguish editorial content from commercial communication while maintaining the independence, integrity, and credibility of CarNews KE.