Wochenfokus (wochenfokus.de), owned and operated by Donau Media OÜ, publishes sponsored content as a transparent commercial offering. This page explains how we label such material, how it differs from editorial journalism and affiliate links, and how our editorial independence is protected. All sponsored content is clearly marked and never influences our newsroom decisions.
What is sponsored content?
Sponsored content is material paid for by an advertiser or partner that appears on Wochenfokus under a clear label. It is not produced by our editorial team and does not reflect the views of our journalists or editors. The advertiser may suggest a topic or provide copy, but Wochenfokus retains final approval over accuracy and compliance with our standards.
We distinguish sponsored content from editorial articles by using the label „Sponsored“ or „Partner Content“ at the top of the page. The label is visible before a reader scrolls and remains present throughout the article. Sponsored pieces are also listed separately in our archive and are never mixed with editorial content in news feeds or newsletters without clear disclosure.
How is sponsored content labelled?
Every sponsored article carries a prominent, machine-readable label – “Sponsored” or “Partner Content” – in the header area, immediately below the headline. The label appears in bold type and contrasts with the site’s default text colour, ensuring it is noticeable on all devices.
In addition, the first paragraph of sponsored content includes a sentence stating: “This article was produced in collaboration with [partner name] and is labelled as sponsored content.” The partner’s name is linked to their website, but the link opens in a new tab. Sponsored content is also excluded from our main RSS feed and from the “Latest News” widget on the homepage, unless it carries the same label.
What is the difference between sponsored content and affiliate links?
Sponsored content is a separate commercial arrangement from affiliate links. Affiliate links are links within editorial articles that may earn Wochenfokus a commission if a reader purchases a product – they are disclosed per our Advertising & Affiliate Disclosure policy. Sponsored content, by contrast, is a whole article paid for by a third party, and it is labelled as such from start to finish.
Affiliate links never appear inside sponsored content. If an article contains affiliate links, it is editorial content and is disclosed accordingly. Sponsored content may include links to the partner’s site, but these are not affiliate links. The two revenue streams are kept entirely separate to avoid confusing readers.
What you can expect from us
Wochenfokus does not allow commercial relationships to determine editorial conclusions. Our editorial team – led by Chefredaktör Oliver Böhm and managed by Redaktionschef Anna Heinrich – makes all decisions about news coverage, fact-checking, and corrections independently of any sponsor. Sponsored content is reviewed by a human editor before publication to ensure it meets our quality and transparency standards.
We apply the same fact-checking rigour to sponsored content as we do to editorial articles, as outlined in our Fact-Checking Policy. If a sponsor’s claim cannot be verified, we either remove it or add a correction note. Sponsored content that misleads readers is rejected or pulled, and we will publicly note any retractions in our Corrections Policy.
Who reviews sponsored content before publication?
Every piece of sponsored content is reviewed by at least one member of our editorial team – typically the Redaktionschef or a designated deputy – before it goes live. The reviewer checks for factual accuracy, compliance with our Editorial Policy, and clear labelling. No sponsored content is published without human editorial approval.
If a sponsor submits copy that contains unsupported claims or violates our style guide, we request changes or reject the submission. The final published version is the responsibility of Wochenfokus, not the sponsor. Our fact-checking team, led by Birgit Weiß, may also audit sponsored articles on a sample basis.
How can I enquire about sponsored content?
Business enquiries about sponsored content should be sent to sponsored@wochenfokus.de. Our commercial partnerships team handles proposals, rates, and campaign details.
All commercial proposals are vetted by the publisher (Donau Media OÜ) and reviewed by the editorial team to ensure they fit our audience and standards. For general contact information, including postal address and phone numbers, please see our Contact page. We do not accept sponsored content from political parties, religious organisations, or entities that promote misinformation.
Questions or concerns?
If you believe a piece of sponsored content is not clearly labelled or contains inaccurate information, please contact our complaints desk at complaints@wochenfokus.de or use the form on our Contact page. For general questions about this policy, write to info@wochenfokus.de or call our main office on +372 614 0280.
We also encourage readers to review our Sources & Standards page and our Advertising & Affiliate Disclosure for further detail on how we manage commercial content. All commercial partnerships are governed by the terms set out in our Terms of Use.