These terms apply to adverts, classifieds and job listings in The Village News, in print and online.
In short: we check every advert before it runs. We may ask for changes or decline any advert. You are responsible for what your advert says. Paid adverts run once payment is received.
- We check everything. Every advert, classified and job listing is checked by our team before it runs. The Village News may ask for changes, decline, or remove any advert, at any time, and does not have to give a reason. If we decline or remove a paid advert before it runs, you get your money back.
- You are responsible for your advert. You confirm that what you send is true, that you have the right to use the words, logos and photos in it, and that it follows the law and the Code of Advertising Practice of the Advertising Regulatory Board (ARB).
- Honest adverts. No false or misleading claims about prices, products or services (Consumer Protection Act). Offers must be available as advertised.
- Respect for everyone. No adverts that discriminate against, insult or mock anyone because of race, gender, age, disability, religion, belief, culture or language. Adverts about faith, belief or sensitive subjects are welcome, but wording must be respectful of readers of every background; we may ask you to change wording.
- Not accepted: adult or sexual services; illegal goods or services; weapons for sale; get-rich-quick, loan-shark or pyramid schemes; personal attacks on any named person; anything likely to cause harm.
- Political adverts. Accepted as paid adverts only (not as free classifieds or job listings). They are labelled “Paid political advertisement, authorised by” followed by the name of the person or party responsible, and must follow the Electoral Code of Conduct. Political adverts are approved by the editor.
- Adverts look like adverts. Adverts that look like a news story are labelled “Advertisement” or “Sponsored” (ARB Code, Section IV; Press Code).
- Job adverts. No discrimination on age, gender, race or religion, unless it is a real requirement of the job (Employment Equity Act). Job seekers may never be asked to pay to apply or to be placed; agencies may not charge work seekers fees (Employment Services Act, section 15). CVs go straight to the employer’s email: The Village News does not keep them. Employers must look after applicants’ information as the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) requires. Listings come down on the closing date.
- Payment. Free listings go live once approved. Paid adverts go live, on the website and in print, once approved and paid. For Thursday’s paper: approved and paid by Tuesday 12:00; later payments run the following week. Unpaid invoices are cancelled after 14 days.
- Deadlines and cancellations. Bookings close Monday 17:00. Artwork approved by Tuesday 12:00. No cancellations after Tuesday 12:00.
- Mistakes. Please check your proof. If we make a mistake in your advert, we will correct it and run it again at no charge; we cannot be responsible for more than the cost of the advert.
- Your information. We use your contact details only to run your advert and send your invoice, as POPIA requires. We never sell them.
