Advertising policy

Advertising helps keep Dhaka Debates free. This policy explains how we keep advertising separate from our journalism.

How ads appear on Dhaka Debates

• Display ads are served mainly by Google AdSense and are labelled “Advertisement”.
• Ads are placed in fixed slots: on the home page, inside long stories and in sidebars. They are never presented as part of a story.
• Most ads are chosen automatically by Google’s systems, not by our editors. Seeing an ad on Dhaka Debates does not mean we recommend the product.
• Ads may be personalised based on your browsing where you have agreed to it. See our Privacy policy and Cookie policy.

Separation of advertising and editorial

• Advertisers have no say over what we report, review or recommend.
• Advertisers do not see stories or reviews before they are published.
• Buying ads does not earn a better rating or a place in our rankings.
• If we ever publish sponsored or partner content, it will be clearly labelled “Sponsored” or “Partner content”, and written separately from our newsroom’s reporting.

Ads we do not accept

We block, or ask our ad partners to block, advertising for:

• gambling, betting and lotteries;
• unlicensed lenders, loan sharks and products that hide their real cost;
• get-rich-quick schemes, multi-level marketing and pyramid or Ponzi schemes;
• cryptocurrency trading, tokens or “investment” offers that are not permitted in Bangladesh;
• unlicensed financial services, or services that claim guaranteed returns;
• adult content, weapons, tobacco and illegal drugs;
• misleading, deceptive or fake-news style advertising, or ads that impersonate Dhaka Debates or our journalists.

Automated ad systems are not perfect, and an unsuitable ad can occasionally get through.

Report an ad

If you see an ad that is misleading, offensive or breaks this policy, email adshelp@dhakadebates.com with the page address, a screenshot and the time you saw it. We will review it and block it where we can, usually within two working days.

Advertise with us

For display advertising, sponsorships and partnerships, contact adshelp@dhakadebates.com. All advertising is subject to this policy and to the policies of our ad partners.