This policy applies to the web sites owned or controlled by CBS Interactive Inc. that post a link to this policy.
One of CBS Interactive's core values is integrity. We promise that our coverage will be fair, accurate, and ethical. For us to succeed, users must be able to trust our news, product ratings, and technical recommendations to be unbiased and based on fact and careful analysis.
A media company's challenge is to give its users what they want in a way that leverages the unique power of the medium. Part of that power on the Internet is the ability to bring buyers and sellers together; in doing so, the company must maintain a clear line between content and commerce. Ethical considerations such as clearly distinguishing editorial content from commerce content are of the utmost importance so as not to confuse or deceive users.
We have developed guidelines that set out certain minimum standards and fundamental rules in order to uphold our credibility. This policy addresses issues such as the receipt of gifts or services by CBS Interactive employees from companies we cover, the trading of shares in companies we cover, and the distinctions between editorial and advertising content:
CBS Interactive will disclose business relationships in editorial content whenever relevant
As part of our corporate mission, CBS Interactive has business relationships and investments in and from a number of companies in the industry. CBS Interactive editors disclose business relationships whenever relevant, specifically in any editorial content where a CBS Interactive partner or investor is a primary subject. Ordinary advertising relationships, content distribution agreements, and service contracts do not require disclosure.
Ads will be labeled as ads
CBS Interactive generates revenue in part by selling advertisements in the form of banners, sponsorships, special advertising sections, and cobranded services. Advertisements or links that differ from the standards specified by the Internet Advertising Bureau are labeled advertisement, advertiser links, sponsor, or sponsored links to avoid confusion. A number of advertisements do not need labeling because they are obviously ads.
CBS Interactive will disclose the business model
CBS Interactive receives referral fees from merchants when we match buyers with vendors. All merchants in CBS Interactive's price listings pay to be listed. Some merchants pay a premium for placement order or prominence.
CBS Interactive will not review its own services or services with which it has a business affiliation
It is CBS Interactive's policy not to review its own services or services provided by entities with which it has a business affiliation that goes beyond the purchase or delivery of goods or services in the ordinary course of business for both CBS Interactive and the other entity. We do review or comment on competitors to these services. In these instances, we publish a disclaimer acknowledging our relationship to a competing product.
CBS Interactive employees should avoid any appearance of impropriety
All CBS Interactive employees go out of their way to avoid any appearance of impropriety in regards to securities transactions or inside information about any company we cover. CBS Interactive doesn't prevent employees from investing in their financial future, but all employees avoid any activity that might be perceived as speculation or misuse of information obtained at work.
Employees may not accept gifts of value
CBS Interactive editorial employees are required to refuse benefits that could cause the giver or others to perceive that CBS Interactive is beholden to another company. This includes accepting gifts, travel, and tickets to entertainment or sporting events.
Labeling content from external sources
CBS Interactive labels content to indicate the source in cases where the information published was not generated by CBS Interactive's editorial staff.
Corrections
We are committed to correcting quickly any errors in fact or interpretation. No error brought to the attention of an editor or a reporter will be allowed to remain in a CBS Interactive article. Everything from a misspelled name to a gross material error will be corrected in a story's original file so that no inaccuracy remains in our permanent archive. We will also provide clarifications of stories that contained no clear error in fact but whose wording or headline is open to misinterpretation.
Employees may not keep products or services
Editorial employees often solicit products for review. To avoid the appearance that these products constitute gifts, no employee can keep any hardware for more than six months. Free accounts to online services will be closed after the review is published. Software does not need to be returned, but cannot be resold or used for commercial purposes.
Linking to external sites
CBS Interactive may link to non-Networks content that could be considered offensive by certain readers. The use of a hyperlink never constitutes an endorsement of a company, a product, or an opinion. The use of the hyperlink does not imply that CBS Interactive agrees with the content being linked to and provides no guarantee that the content contains accurate information. CBS Interactive editors are under no obligation to link to any site.
