Gifts and Freebies Policy

Introduction

At Sports Insider Daily, maintaining journalistic independence and credibility is paramount. Accepting gifts, freebies, or other benefits from advertisers, sponsors, teams, athletes, or third parties can create conflicts of interest or the appearance of bias. This policy outlines what is acceptable and what is prohibited.

Scope

This policy applies to:

  • All employees, freelancers, contributors, and interns.
  • Gifts, freebies, perks, or benefits offered by any external parties, including sponsors, vendors, advertisers, athletes, or teams.

Policy Principles

  1. Zero Tolerance for Improper Influence
    • Gifts or freebies that could influence reporting, editorial decisions, or coverage are strictly prohibited.
    • This includes cash, expensive items, trips, or services.
  2. Acceptable Items
    • Modest, token items such as promotional pens, notebooks, or small branded merchandise may be accepted if they do not exceed a nominal value (e.g., under $50).
    • Meals or hospitality at professional events may be accepted only if:
      • They are standard and reasonable,
      • Attendance does not compromise editorial independence, and
      • They are transparently reported to management if required.
  3. Prohibited Items & Situations
    • High-value gifts, personal loans, cash, or luxury items.
    • Invitations to private events that could be perceived as a quid pro quo for coverage.
    • Gifts tied to specific coverage, reviews, or editorial decisions.
  4. Disclosure & Transparency
    • Any gifts or freebies received that are borderline or may be perceived as influencing coverage must be disclosed to the employee’s manager or the Ethics & Compliance Officer.
    • Transparency helps protect both the journalist and the organization.
  5. Editorial Independence
    • Staff must never allow gifts, meals, or perks to influence the tone, placement, or content of reporting.
    • Sponsorships, advertising, or promotional content must always be clearly distinguished from editorial content.

Responsibilities

  • Employees/Contributors: Ensure that all gifts or freebies are evaluated against this policy and disclosed when necessary.
  • Managers/Editors: Monitor compliance, approve borderline cases, and maintain records of accepted gifts where appropriate.
  • Leadership: Ensure that policies are consistently enforced and provide guidance on ethical dilemmas.

Consequences of Violation

  • Failure to comply with this policy may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination.
  • Violations can also harm the credibility of Sports Insider Daily and may result in public corrections or disclosures.

Conclusion

By following this Gifts and Freebies Policy, Sports Insider Daily ensures that its reporting remains independent, trustworthy, and free from undue influence. Staff and contributors are expected to uphold these standards at all times, protecting the integrity of our journalism and the trust of our audience.