Effective Date: January 1, 2025
ABOUT THE WELLINGTON ADVERTISER
The Wellington Advertiser has proudly served the communities of Wellington County since March 1968, providing essential news coverage, community information, and advertising services to residents and businesses throughout suburban and rural Wellington County. As an independent community newspaper, we are committed to journalistic excellence, community engagement, and ethical business practices.
EDITORIAL POLICIES
1. EDITORIAL INDEPENDENCE
AND STANDARDS
Mission Statement
The Wellington Advertiser is committed to providing accurate, fair, and comprehensive coverage of news and events affecting Wellington County communities. Our editorial decisions are made independently of commercial interests, ensuring our readers receive unbiased reporting and commentary.
Editorial Standards
· Accuracy and fact-checking are paramount in all reporting
· Multiple sources are sought for controversial or complex stories
· Clear distinction is maintained between news reporting and opinion content
· Community interests guide our editorial priorities
· Corrections are published promptly when errors are identified
Editorial Independence
Our editorial content, including news coverage, editorial opinions, and story selection, is determined solely by editorial staff and is not influenced by advertisers, political interests, or other external pressures.
2. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY
Submission Guidelines
We welcome letters from community members on subjects of local interest and public concern. Letters provide an important forum for community dialogue and diverse perspectives.
Requirements for Publication:
· Letters must be signed with the author's full legal name
· Complete contact information must be provided (address, phone number, email)
· Letters should be 300 words or fewer for optimal consideration
· Anonymous submissions and pen names are not accepted
· Authors must be residents of Wellington County or have a clear connection to the community or address an issue of obvious importance to county residents.
Editorial Review Process:
· The Editor maintains final discretion on publication decisions
· Letters may be edited for length, clarity, grammar, and style, and to ensure they are factually correct
· Substantial edits will be discussed with the author when possible
· Letters containing potentially libelous content will not be published
· Personal attacks, hate speech, or discriminatory language will be rejected
Content Standards:
· Letters should address matters of public interest or community concern
· Commercial promotions disguised as letters will not be published
· Letters should contribute constructively to community dialogue
· Factual claims should be verifiable or clearly identified as opinion
Publication Timeline:
· Letters are typically published within two weeks of submission, space permitting
· Timely letters addressing current events receive priority consideration
Contact for Letters:
Email: editor@wellingtonadvertiser.com
Mail:
Letters to the Editor
Wellington Advertiser
905 Gartshore St, Box 252
Fergus, ON N1M 2W8
ADVERTISING POLICIES
3. GENERAL ADVERTISING STANDARDS
Acceptance Policy
All advertising is accepted in good faith and subject to editorial approval. The Wellington Advertiser reserves the right to reject advertising that conflicts with our community standards or editorial policies.
Advertising Standards:
· All advertisements must comply with Canadian advertising standards and regulations
· Misleading, false, or deceptive advertising will not be accepted
· Advertisements must clearly identify the advertiser
· Sponsored content and advertorials will be clearly labeled as such
· Adult-oriented businesses and services are subject to additional review
Prohibited Advertising:
· Illegal products or services
· Discriminatory content based on protected characteristics
· Content that promotes hate speech or violence
· Misleading health claims or unproven medical treatments
· Pyramid schemes or fraudulent business opportunities
· Adult entertainment or explicit content
· Any form of advertising or promotion related to cannabis
4. ADVERTISING ERROR POLICY
Typographical Error Responsibility
In the event of typographical errors in published advertisements:
· The Wellington Advertiser's liability is limited to the cost of the space occupied by the erroneous content
· A reasonable allowance for signatures or logos affected by the error will be included
· The balance of the advertisement will be charged at the applicable rate
· No additional compensation beyond the space credit will be provided
Pricing Error Policy
When typographical errors result in incorrect pricing:
· Advertisers are not obligated to honour incorrect prices
· The Wellington Advertiser will work with advertisers to publish corrections
· Advertising constitutes an offer to sell and may be withdrawn at any time
· Good faith efforts will be made to minimize customer confusion
Error Reporting:
· Errors should be reported within 48 hours of publication
· Corrections will be published in the next available edition when appropriate
· Repeat advertisements with errors will receive priority correction placement
5. CIRCULATION AND
RATE INFORMATION
Circulation Data
Current circulation figures, demographic information, and distribution details are available upon request. We maintain transparent circulation reporting in accordance with industry standards.
Rate Information
· Current advertising rates are available on our website and from our sales staff
· Volume discounts and package deals are available for regular advertisers
· Special rates may apply for non-profit organizations and community events
· Rate changes are communicated with appropriate advance notice
Additional Services:
· Custom advertising design and layout services
· Digital advertising opportunities on our website and social media
· Event promotion and community calendar listings
· Business directory and classified advertising options
BUSINESS PRACTICES AND POLICIES
6. PUBLISHER RESPONSIBILITY
AND AUTHORITY
Publisher Authority
The Publisher accepts full responsibility for:
· Agreements and commitments made by regular staff members
· Editorial policies and content decisions
· Advertising standards and acceptance criteria
· Business practices and customer service standards
Staff Authority
Regular staff members are authorized to make commitments within their designated areas of responsibility. The Publisher is not responsible for unauthorized commitments made by:
· Freelance contributors or independent contractors
· Individuals not employed by the Wellington Advertiser
· Third parties acting without proper authorization
Good Faith Business Practices
All business relationships are conducted in good faith with:
· Transparent pricing and service descriptions
· Honest communication about capabilities and limitations
· Prompt resolution of disputes or misunderstandings
· Professional service delivery and customer support
7. SUBMISSION DEADLINES
AND PROCEDURES
Standard Deadlines:
· Advertising: Monday at 10:00 AM for the current week's publication
· Letters to the Editor: Monday at 10:00 AM for consideration in the current week
· News Submissions: Monday at 10:00 AM for community events and announcements
· Classified Ads: Monday at 10:00 AM for the current week's publication
Statutory Holidays: If a statutory holiday falls on a Monday, submission deadlines are moved up to the preceding Friday at 12:00 PM for inclusion in the following week’s publication.
Late Submission Policy:
· Late submissions may be accepted at editorial discretion
· Rush charges may apply for last-minute advertising changes
· Breaking news and urgent community information may override standard deadlines
· Holiday weeks may have modified deadlines, communicated in advance
Submission Methods:
· Email submissions are preferred for efficiency and accuracy
· Physical submissions are accepted at our offices during business hours
· Fax submissions are accepted but email confirmation is recommended
· Phone submissions may be accepted for simple classified ads
CONTACT INFORMATION
8. OFFICE LOCATIONS
AND CONTACT DETAILS
Fergus Office (Main)
905 Gartshore Street, Box 252
Fergus, Ontario N1M 2W8
Phone: 519-843-5410
Fax: 519-843-7607
Email: classified@wellingtonadvertiser.com
Specialized Contacts:
· Editorial/News: editor@wellingtonadvertiser.com
· Advertising Sales: sales@wellingtonadvertiser.com
· Letters to the Editor: editor@wellingtonadvertiser.com
· Classified Ads: classified@wellingtonadvertiser.com
· Circulation: circulation@wellingtonadvertiser.com
· Technical Support: classified@wellingtonadvertiser.com
Business Hours:
Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
AND SERVICES
9. COMMUNITY COMMITMENT
Local Focus
The Wellington Advertiser is committed to:
· Comprehensive coverage of local government and civic affairs
· Support for community events and initiatives
· Promotion of local businesses and economic development
· Recognition of community volunteers and achievements
· Environmental responsibility in our operations
Community Services:
· Free community event listings (subject to space availability)
· Reduced rates for registered non-profit organizations
· Educational institution partnership opportunities
· Emergency information distribution during community crises
· Support for local charitable initiatives
10. DIGITAL PRESENCE AND
MODERN SERVICES
Website Services:
· Current and archived news articles
· Digital advertising opportunities
· Online classified ad submission
· Community event calendar
· Email newsletter subscriptions
Social Media Engagement:
Following the implementation of Canada's Online News Act (Bill C-18), Meta has blocked Canadian news content from Facebook and Instagram platforms, preventing news organizations from sharing journalism and engaging with readers through these channels. The Wellington Advertiser is committed to finding alternative ways to engage with our community and will continue to explore other social media platforms and digital communication methods to maintain strong connections with our readers.
Current social media presence includes:
· Twitter/X for real-time news updates and community engagement
· Direct email newsletters and website engagement
· Exploring emerging platforms that support Canadian journalism
Digital Advertising Options:
· Website banner advertising
· Social media promotion packages
· Email newsletter advertising
· Mobile-optimized ad formats
POLICY UPDATES AND MODIFICATIONS
11. POLICY MAINTENANCE
Regular Review:
These policies are reviewed annually and updated as necessary to reflect:
· Changes in industry standards and best practices
· Legal and regulatory requirements
· Community needs and feedback
· Technological developments and opportunities
Notification of Changes:
Policy updates will be communicated through:
· Website posting
· Direct notification to website users
· Social media announcements for significant changes
Feedback and Suggestions:
We welcome community input on our policies and practices. Comments and suggestions may be directed to:
· Email: editor@wellingtonadvertiser.com
· Mail: Policy Feedback, Wellington Advertiser, 905 Gartshore St, Box 252 Fergus, ON N1M 2W8
· Phone: 519-843-5410
Version: 2025.02
The Wellington Advertiser is proud to serve Wellington County with integrity, professionalism, and a commitment to community journalism excellence. These policies reflect our dedication to ethical business practices and quality service for our readers, advertisers, and community partners.
For the most current version of these policies, please visit our website at wellingtonadvertiser.com/policies.