WEST Ambassador Guidelines and Community Standards

WEST AMBASSADOR CODE OF CONDUCT
Effective Date: 01 January 2026 Contact Email: enquiries@thewestjournal.com.au

This Code of Conduct sets out the standards of behaviour, integrity, and professionalism expected of all WEST Ambassadors. It sits alongside the WEST Ambassador Service Agreement and the WEST Terms of Service, and applies whenever an individual is acting as, representing themselves as, or reasonably perceived to be a WEST Ambassador.

1. Purpose & Principles
WEST Ambassadors play a public-facing role in shaping how local communities, partners, and audiences experience you and the WEST brand. This Code is designed to:
• Protect community trust and editorial integrity
• Ensure transparency in commercial and sponsored activity
• Avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest
• Uphold WEST’s reputation, values, and legal obligations
Ambassadors are expected to act honestly, independently, and in good faith at all times.

2. Professional Conduct
WEST Ambassadors must:
• Act respectfully, lawfully, and ethically in all interactions
• Represent local communities fairly and accurately
• Avoid conduct that could reasonably bring WEST into disrepute
• Comply with all applicable Australian laws, advertising standards, and platform rules
• Follow WEST editorial guidelines, brand standards, and community guidelines
Harassment, discrimination, hate speech, unlawful behaviour, or misleading conduct will not be tolerated.

3. Content Integrity & Editorial Independence
Ambassadors must ensure that all content:
• Is original and created by them
• Is accurate to the best of their knowledge
• Does not mislead audiences by omission, exaggeration, or false representation
• Clearly distinguishes editorial opinion from advertising or promotion
WEST reserves the right to moderate, edit, decline, or remove content at its discretion.

4. Disclosure & Transparency
Transparency is essential to maintaining audience trust.
Ambassadors must:
• Clearly disclose any paid, sponsored, gifted, or commercial relationship connected to content
• Comply with ACCC guidelines, AANA advertising codes, and platform disclosure rules
• Follow any additional WEST disclosure requirements
Disclosures must be clear, timely, and easily understood by the audience.

5. Commercial Conflicts of Interest
5.1 Identifying Conflicts
A conflict of interest exists where an Ambassador’s personal, financial, or commercial interests could reasonably be perceived to influence their content, judgement, or representation of WEST.
This includes (but is not limited to):
• Paid work or partnerships with brands, venues, councils, or organisations featured in content
• Endorsing competing platforms or services in a way that conflicts with active WEST campaigns
• Accepting gifts, incentives, or benefits that could compromise independence
• Favouring content that promotes a business or brand owned by the Ambassador, Ambassador’s family or and subsidiaries of an Ambassador against another.

5.2 Managing Conflicts
Ambassadors must:
• Disclose any actual or potential conflicts to WEST as soon as they arise
• Follow WEST directions on how the conflict should be managed (including disclosure, modification, or withdrawal from content)
• Avoid presenting conflicted content as independent or WEST-endorsed if it is not
Failure to disclose conflicts may result in content removal, suspension, or termination.

6. Non-Exclusivity & Outside Work
Ambassadors may engage in other creative or commercial work, provided that:
• It does not misrepresent affiliation with WEST
• It does not conflict with notified WEST campaigns
• It does not damage WEST’s reputation or community trust
Ambassadors must not imply WEST endorsement of external brands, products, or services without written approval.

7. Use of WEST Brand & Association
Ambassadors must:
• Use WEST branding, titles, and association accurately
• Only describe themselves as a “WEST Ambassador” while actively participating in the program
• Cease use of WEST branding or affiliation upon termination if requested

8. Confidentiality
Ambassadors must keep confidential any non-public information relating to:
• WEST operations, technology, or strategy
• Campaigns, partners, or commercial arrangements
• User data or internal communications
This obligation continues after the Ambassador relationship ends.

9. Reporting & Compliance
Ambassadors are encouraged to raise questions or disclose concerns early. WEST may:
• Request clarification or additional disclosures
• Require content changes or removal
• Suspend or terminate Ambassador participation
All enforcement actions may be taken in accordance with the Service Agreement and Terms of Use.

10. Breaches & Consequences
Breaches of this Code may result in:
• Content removal or correction
• Suspension from campaigns or the Ambassador program
• Termination of the Service Agreement
Serious or repeated breaches may lead to immediate termination.

11. Acknowledgement
Participation as a WEST Ambassador constitutes acceptance of this Code of Conduct, as updated from time to time. WEST may revise this Code with reasonable notice.
This Code is intended to protect both Ambassadors and the WEST community by setting clear, fair, and transparent expectations.

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If you have any questions or concerns about this Policy, please contact us:

 

Email: enquiries@thewestjournal.com.au                                   Phone 02 9217 3003

Address: The WEST Journal, 56 John Street Camden NSW 2570, Australia

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