How does Northern Focus fund its journalism?
Northern Focus is funded through a mix of display advertising, affiliate links, commercial partnerships, sponsored content, newsletter sponsorships, and content licensing. All revenue supports independent regional journalism without compromising editorial integrity. Northern Beacon Media Inc., the Ontario corporation that owns and operates the site, does not accept funding from political parties, government grants, or undisclosed donors. Full ownership and funding details are available on our Ownership & Funding page.
What are affiliate links and how do they work here?
Some articles on Northern Focus include affiliate links — hyperlinks to third-party merchants or services. If a reader clicks an affiliate link and makes a purchase, Northern Focus may earn a small commission at no extra cost to the reader. Every affiliate link is clearly disclosed in the article, usually near the link itself or in a short statement at the top or bottom of the story. Affiliate relationships never influence editorial coverage, story selection, or the opinions expressed in our reporting. Our editorial team — including editor-in-chief Catherine Roy and managing editor Marc Tremblay — reviews all content independently of any commercial arrangement. Readers can always identify affiliate content by looking for the disclosure label.
How does display advertising support our reporting?
Display advertising — such as banner ads, native ads, and video pre-rolls — appears on Northern Focus pages to help cover operational costs, including reporter salaries, fact‑checking, and editorial infrastructure. All advertisements are clearly separated from editorial content and labelled as “Ad” or “Sponsored.” Northern Focus never allows advertisers to review, approve, or influence articles before publication. The newsroom operates independently under Catherine Roy and the editorial team. For advertising inquiries, contact advertising@northernfocus.org. For partnership opportunities, reach partnerships@northernfocus.org.
What is sponsored content and how is it labelled?
Sponsored content is material paid for by a third party — such as a business, non‑profit, or government agency — that is produced in collaboration with Northern Focus or submitted by the sponsor. Every piece of sponsored content is clearly marked with labels like “Sponsored,” “Paid Content,” or “Partner Content” at the top of the page, and we include a statement explaining who funded it. Sponsored content is reviewed by an editor to ensure it meets our factual standards, but it is not governed by our normal editorial mission. The Sponsored Content Policy provides full guidelines on how such material is created, labelled, and disclosed. Sponsored content never replaces independent journalism, and the newsroom retains the right to reject any proposal that conflicts with our values.
How does Northern Focus maintain editorial independence?
Editorial independence is a core principle. Commercial relationships — advertisers, sponsors, affiliate partners — have no role in determining story selection, angles, sourcing, or conclusions. The editorial team, led by Catherine Roy and supported by standards lead Andrew Leblanc, holds final authority over all published content. Our Editorial Policy and Fact‑Checking Policy govern every step of production. If a conflict of interest arises — for example, an article about a company that also sponsors content — we disclose that relationship transparently. Readers can trust that what we publish is driven by public service, not commercial pressure.
What you can expect from us
You can expect clear, consistent disclosure of every funding source and commercial tie. Every article, newsletter, or sponsored piece will tell you who paid for it, if anyone, and what kind of relationship exists. Our affiliate links are always marked. Our fact‑checking team verifies claims regardless of commercial implications. And our editorial staff — from Municipal Affairs Editor Hannah Walsh to Community Correspondent Kevin Sullivan and Provincial Affairs Editor Jessica Morin — report without outside interference. If we ever make a mistake, we correct it promptly and visibly, as outlined in our Corrections Policy.
Questions or concerns?
If you have a question about how we fund our work, want to know whether a specific link is an affiliate, or need to report a potential disclosure issue, please contact our editorial desk. For advertising or partnership inquiries, use advertising@northernfocus.org or partnerships@northernfocus.org. For general feedback or corrections, reach the newsroom at editorial@northernfocus.org. You can also refer to our Complaints Procedure for formal concerns. We take transparency seriously and will respond as quickly as possible.