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OWNERSHIP & FUNDING DISCLOSURE – worldnewsstudio.com (World News Studio or WNS)

DOCUMENT CONTROL
Version: v1.0
Effective Date: 11 February 2026
Last Updated: 11 February 2026
Review Cycle: February 2027 or upon material regulatory change
Accessibility Target: WCAG 2.1 AA (with progression toward WCAG 2.2)
Applies To: worldnewsstudio.com and associated digital services

This Policy is necessarily detailed due to the global scope, legal complexity, and public-interest responsibilities of the Platform. It is written in formal governance language to ensure clarity, consistency, and reliability across jurisdictions.

ACCESSIBILITY, LEGAL STATUS, AND POLICY INTEGRATION

This Ownership & Funding Disclosure is structured in accordance with:

  • WCAG 2.1 and WCAG 2.2 accessibility requirements
  • EU Web Accessibility Directive
  • UK Equality Act accessibility duties
  • US ADA Title III interpretations
  • India Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act
  • Canada Accessible Canada Act
  • Australia Disability Discrimination Act

References to international, regional, or foreign laws, standards, or regulatory frameworks are provided for transparency and alignment with global best practices. Such references do not constitute representation of regulatory establishment, licensing, jurisdictional submission, or mandatory applicability beyond what applies by operation of law based on actual legal nexus or statutory obligation.

Accessibility commitments include:

  • Screen-reader compatible disclosure tables
  • Clear headings and logical document structure
  • Plain-language summaries where feasible
  • Alternative formats upon request via Grievance Redressal mechanisms

This Disclosure forms part of the unified legal framework of worldnewsstudio.com and must be read together with:

Where inconsistencies exist, hierarchy provisions in the Terms of Service apply.

1. PURPOSE AND DEMOCRATIC FUNCTION OF OWNERSHIP TRANSPARENCY

Media ownership transparency is essential to:

  1. Enable public evaluation of editorial independence
  2. Identify potential conflicts of interest
  3. Protect democratic discourse
  4. Prevent covert political or commercial influence
  5. Comply with statutory disclosure obligations

Ownership disclosure obligations arise under:

  • National media laws
  • Corporate transparency statutes
  • Election finance laws
  • Anti-corruption frameworks
  • Stock exchange disclosure rules (where applicable)

And are supported by international principles including:

  • UNESCO Media Development Indicators
  • Council of Europe media pluralism standards
  • OSCE media freedom commitments
  • Inter-American freedom of expression principles
  • African Commission Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression

2. LEGAL OWNERSHIP OF worldnewsstudio.com

2.1 Corporate Owner

worldnewsstudio.com is owned, operated, managed, and legally controlled by:

Badana Communications and Business Pvt. Ltd.
A private limited company incorporated under the Companies Act, 2013 (India)
Corporate Identification Number (CIN): U47999JK2020PTC011443

All legal, financial, employment, data protection, regulatory, and contractual responsibilities related to WNS vest in this Company unless expressly transferred by lawful written agreement.

2.2 Place of Incorporation and Legal Domicile

The Company is incorporated in:

  • Jammu & Kashmir, India

Accordingly, corporate governance is subject to:

  • Indian Companies Act, 2013
  • Ministry of Corporate Affairs regulations
  • Income Tax Act
  • GST laws
  • RBI and FEMA rules where applicable

2.3 Contact & Official Communication

Primary Contact Officer: Akhtar Badana
info@worldnewsstudio.com

| Phone: +91-9419061646

Correspondence and Public Relations Office
1st Floor, Bhat Complex, Near Astan, Airport Road
Humhama, Srinagar – 190021, Jammu & Kashmir, India.

3. BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP AND CONTROL STRUCTURE

3.1 Shareholding Structure

Badana Communications and Business Pvt. Ltd. is a privately held company.

Beneficial ownership is disclosed in accordance with:

  • Indian Companies Act significant beneficial ownership rules
  • Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) reporting duties
  • FATF beneficial ownership transparency principles

As of the Effective Date of this Disclosure, the Company is privately held and is not publicly traded. Any material change in ownership structure or controlling interest will be reflected through statutory filings and updated in this Disclosure where legally required.

3.2 No Anonymous or Bearer Ownership

The Company does not permit:

  • Anonymous shareholders
  • Bearer shares
  • Undisclosed nominee ownership

Where shareholding changes occur, statutory filings are made with:

  • Registrar of Companies (India)

3.3 Control and Decision-Making Authority

Strategic and operational decisions are made by:

  • Board of Directors
  • Authorized officers
  • Senior management

Editorial decisions remain institutionally separated from:

  • Ownership financial interests
  • Advertising revenue operations

As described in the Editorial Policy and Conflicts of Interest Disclosure Policy.

4. FUNDING SOURCES AND REVENUE MODELS

worldnewsstudio.com may generate revenue from multiple lawful sources including:

4.1 Advertising Revenue

Including:

  • Display advertising
  • Programmatic ads
  • Direct brand placements

Governed by:

  • Advertising Policy
  • Sponsored Content Policy
  • Code of Ethics

Advertising partners have no editorial control over content.

4.2 Subscriptions and Memberships

Including:

  • Digital news subscriptions
  • Premium content access
  • Educational content bundles

Governed by:

  • Subscription Policy
  • Billing & Payments Policy
  • Digital Services Terms

4.3 Digital Products and Services

Including:

  • E-books
  • Courses
  • Research reports
  • Data services

Governed by:

  • Digital Products Terms
  • Digital Services Terms

4.4 Affiliate Programs

Revenue may be generated through:

  • Affiliate marketing links
  • Referral programs

All affiliate relationships are disclosed under:

  • Affiliate Disclosure Policy

4.5 Events and Sponsorships

Revenue may also be generated through:

  • Conferences
  • Training programs
  • Media partnerships

All sponsorships are subject to:

  • Disclosure requirements
  • Editorial independence safeguards

5. PROHIBITED FUNDING SOURCES

WNS does not knowingly accept funding from:

  • Terrorist organizations
  • Criminal enterprises
  • Sanctioned entities
  • Undisclosed political campaigns

Compliance is guided by:

  • UN sanctions lists
  • FATF standards
  • National anti-money-laundering laws

However, WNS cannot guarantee absolute detection of concealed financial flows in complex global advertising ecosystems and therefore undertakes ongoing good-faith monitoring.

6. GOVERNMENT FUNDING, SUBSIDIES, AND PUBLIC GRANTS

6.1 Potential Public Funding

WNS may from time to time receive:

  • Government advertising placements
  • Public information campaign funding
  • Media development grants

Such funding is accepted only where:

  • Lawful
  • Transparent
  • Does not compromise editorial independence

Where government advertising or public information campaigns constitute a material portion of revenue in a given reporting period, WNS may disclose aggregate figures in transparency reporting, subject to lawful confidentiality obligations.

6.2 No Editorial Influence from Public Funding

Receipt of public funds does not grant:

  • Government agencies editorial veto power
  • Prior review rights
  • Content approval authority

Editorial independence remains protected by:

  • Editorial Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Internal governance structures

7. POLITICAL FINANCING AND ELECTION-RELATED FUNDING RESTRICTIONS

7.1 Prohibition on Political Ownership

WNS is not owned or controlled by:

  • Political parties
  • Election candidates
  • Political action committees

Where national law prohibits media political ownership, WNS complies with such restrictions.

WNS does not enter into undisclosed political financing arrangements, nor does it accept covert funding intended to influence electoral coverage or public policy reporting.

7.2 Election Advertising Revenue

During election periods:

  • Political advertising may be restricted or regulated
  • Disclosure obligations may apply

Compliance is maintained under:

  • Election Commission rules (India)
  • EU election integrity frameworks
  • US FEC advertising laws
  • National election laws globally

8. INTERNATIONAL TRANSPARENCY AND ANTI-CORRUPTION COMPLIANCE

WNS funding and ownership practices are guided by:

  • UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC)
  • OECD Anti-Bribery Convention
  • FATF AML/CFT standards
  • National anti-corruption laws worldwide

Including in:

India, USA, EU states, UK, China, Russia, Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Central Asia.

WNS undertakes good-faith efforts to:

  • Prevent bribery
  • Prevent disguised influence
  • Maintain transparent accounting

9. RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS AND AFFILIATED ENTITIES

9.1 Definition of Related Parties

Related parties may include:

  • Directors and officers
  • Immediate family members of directors
  • Entities under common control
  • Significant shareholders

As defined under:

  • Indian Companies Act
  • International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
  • OECD corporate governance principles

9.2 Disclosure and Approval Mechanisms

Related-party transactions, where applicable, must be:

  • Disclosed to the Board
  • Recorded in statutory registers
  • Approved according to legal thresholds

To prevent:

  • Self-dealing
  • Undisclosed influence

9.3 Editorial Independence from Affiliates

Even where commercial relationships exist with affiliated entities:

  • Editorial teams operate independently
  • Coverage decisions are not influenced by ownership interests

10. EDITORIAL–COMMERCIAL FIREWALLS

10.1 Structural Separation

WNS maintains institutional separation between:

  • Editorial departments
  • Advertising and sales teams
  • Sponsorship negotiation units

10.2 Advertising Influence Prohibitions

Advertisers are not permitted to:

  • Approve editorial content
  • Suppress unfavorable reporting
  • Influence story placement

Violations may result in:

  • Termination of advertising contracts

10.3 Sponsored Content Controls

Sponsored material must be:

  • Clearly labeled
  • Visually distinct from journalism

In compliance with:

FTC rules, EU consumer law, India ASCI Code, UK CAP Code, and similar global standards.

Under no circumstances shall ownership, investors, advertisers, sponsors, donors, or commercial partners exercise pre-publication review authority or editorial veto power over independent journalistic reporting, except where required by binding legal order.

11. INVESTOR DISCLOSURE AND FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY

11.1 Private Company Disclosure Limits

As a private company, WNS is not subject to:

  • Public stock exchange reporting obligations

However, statutory financial filings are made with:

  • Registrar of Companies (India)

11.2 Voluntary Transparency Commitments

Where feasible, WNS may publish:

  • High-level funding source summaries
  • Major revenue category breakdowns

To enhance public trust.

11.3 Protection of Commercial Confidentiality

Disclosure obligations are balanced against:

  • Trade secret protections
  • Contractual confidentiality clauses

12. FOREIGN FUNDING AND CROSS-BORDER INVESTMENT CONTROLS

12.1 Compliance with Foreign Contribution Laws

Where foreign funding is received, WNS complies with:

  • India Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA)
  • Foreign investment reporting obligations
  • Exchange control regulations

12.2 Media Ownership Restrictions in Other Countries

Some countries restrict:

  • Foreign media ownership
  • Foreign editorial influence

Including:

China, Russia, several Middle Eastern states, parts of Africa, and certain Asian jurisdictions.

WNS structures operations to comply with:

  • Local incorporation rules
  • Licensing requirements where applicable

12.3 International Investment Screening

Cross-border investments may be subject to:

  • National security screening
  • Media plurality assessments

Under regimes such as:

  • EU FDI screening regulation
  • US CFIUS
  • UK National Security and Investment Act
  • Australian FIRB regime

13. COMPETITION LAW AND MEDIA PLURALISM OBLIGATIONS

13.1 Anti-Monopoly Compliance

WNS operations are subject to:

  • India Competition Act
  • EU competition law
  • US antitrust laws
  • National competition statutes globally

WNS undertakes good-faith efforts to:

  • Avoid anti-competitive conduct
  • Avoid abuse of dominant position

13.2 Media Concentration Rules

In some jurisdictions, media ownership is regulated to prevent:

  • Excessive concentration
  • Political influence

WNS monitors compliance where:

  • Licensing regimes apply
  • Market share thresholds exist

WNS supports principles of media plurality and diversity of viewpoints and does not participate in ownership structures designed to artificially concentrate editorial influence or suppress competitive media voices.

14. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

14.1 Disclosure Obligations for Staff

Editors, journalists, and executives are required to:

  • Disclose financial interests
  • Disclose personal relationships affecting coverage

As governed by:

  • Conflicts of Interest Disclosure Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Code of Conduct

14.2 Recusal and Reassignment Procedures

Where conflicts arise:

  • Individuals may be recused
  • Coverage may be reassigned

To protect editorial integrity.

14.3 Training and Awareness

WNS conducts training on:

  • Conflict identification
  • Ethical decision-making

15. ADVERTISING AGENCY AND PROGRAMMATIC PARTNER TRANSPARENCY

15.1 Programmatic Advertising Ecosystems

Advertising may be delivered through:

  • Ad exchanges
  • Demand-side platforms
  • Supply-side platforms

Which may involve:

  • Multiple intermediaries

15.2 Limits of Control

WNS does not fully control:

  • Real-time bidding participants
  • Automated ad placements

However, WNS undertakes good-faith efforts to:

  • Block illegal advertisers
  • Enforce ad quality standards

WNS does not share editorial decision-making authority with programmatic advertising intermediaries and does not permit automated advertising systems to determine journalistic content selection or placement.

16. DATA MONETIZATION AND ANALYTICS REVENUE

16.1 No Sale of Personal Data

WNS does not sell personal data as a business model.

Where data is processed for:

  • Analytics
  • Advertising

Such processing is governed by:

  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies Policy
  • Data Protection & User Rights Statement

16.2 Compliance with Data Monetization Laws

Compliance includes:

  • GDPR
  • DPDP Act (India)
  • CPRA (California)
  • LGPD (Brazil)
  • POPIA (South Africa)
  • PIPL (China)

17. PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT AND NON-PROFIT COLLABORATIONS

WNS may collaborate with:

  • Journalism foundations
  • Research institutions
  • Civil society organizations

Such collaborations are governed by:

  • Editorial independence clauses
  • Funding transparency requirements

18. RISK MANAGEMENT AND INTERNAL CONTROLS

18.1 Financial Controls

WNS maintains:

  • Accounting controls
  • Audit procedures

As required under corporate law.

18.2 Anti-Fraud Measures

Controls are designed to prevent:

  • Embezzlement
  • False invoicing
  • Undisclosed sponsorships

19. TRANSPARENCY REPORTING PRACTICES

19.1 Purpose of Transparency Reports

Transparency reports enhance:

  • Public accountability
  • Regulatory confidence
  • Civil society oversight

Such reports may disclose:

  • Funding categories
  • Government advertising volume (aggregate)
  • Major compliance actions

19.2 Global Transparency Standards

Reporting practices are informed by:

  • DSA transparency obligations (EU)
  • Online Safety Act reporting frameworks (UK)
  • Voluntary transparency initiatives globally

19.3 Legal Limits on Disclosure

Disclosure may be restricted by:

  • Commercial confidentiality
  • Contractual non-disclosure clauses
  • National security laws
  • Banking secrecy regulations

WNS balances transparency with lawful confidentiality duties.

20. PUBLIC COMPLAINTS REGARDING FUNDING AND INFLUENCE

20.1 Right to Raise Concerns

Users and stakeholders may submit concerns regarding:

  • Undisclosed sponsorship
  • Political influence
  • Commercial conflicts

Through:

  • Grievance Redressal Policy
  • Editorial Ombudsman mechanisms where applicable

20.2 Review and Escalation

Concerns may be reviewed by:

  • Compliance officers
  • Ethics committees
  • Senior editorial leadership

Where warranted, corrective actions may include:

  • Disclosure updates
  • Editorial corrections
  • Contract reviews

21. SANCTIONS, BLACKLISTING, AND RESTRICTED ENTITIES

21.1 Compliance with Sanctions Lists

WNS screens financial relationships against:

  • UN sanctions lists
  • EU consolidated lists
  • US OFAC SDN lists
  • UK sanctions regime
  • National lists in other jurisdictions

21.2 Consequences of Sanctions

Where partners become sanctioned:

  • Contracts may be suspended or terminated
  • Payments may be blocked

Without liability to WNS where legally required.

Screening procedures are conducted using commercially reasonable compliance tools and updated sanction databases; however, WNS cannot guarantee detection of concealed beneficial ownership structures beyond reasonable due diligence measures.

22. INSOLVENCY, RESTRUCTURING, AND ASSET TRANSFERS

22.1 Disclosure Obligations

In case of insolvency or restructuring:

  • Court-mandated disclosures may occur
  • Ownership of media assets may change

22.2 Protection of Editorial Independence

Where ownership changes:

  • Editorial independence principles remain binding on successors where feasible

Subject to:

  • Applicable corporate and insolvency law

23. SURVIVAL OF TRANSPARENCY OBLIGATIONS

Disclosure obligations may survive:

  • Account closures
  • Corporate restructuring
  • Platform rebranding

Where public interest and regulatory duties require continuity.

24. POLICY AMENDMENT AND REGULATORY EVOLUTION

This Disclosure may be updated to reflect:

  • Changes in ownership
  • New funding sources
  • Legal reforms
  • Regulatory guidance

Updates will be published on the Platform where required by law.

Material changes in ownership structure, controlling shareholding, or principal funding categories will be reflected in this Disclosure within a reasonable period following completion of the relevant transaction, subject to statutory confidentiality requirements.

25. LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY REGARDING FUNDING DISCLOSURE

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, WNS shall not be liable for:

  • Indirect influence by advertisers
  • Undisclosed relationships by third parties
  • Regulatory changes affecting disclosure standards

Statutory remedies remain unaffected.

26. GOOD-FAITH DUTY-OF-CARE STATEMENT

WNS commits to ongoing, good-faith efforts to:

  • Maintain transparent ownership records
  • Prevent covert influence
  • Protect editorial independence

This does not constitute:

  • Absolute guarantee of influence-free operations
  • Warranty against complex financial misconduct beyond reasonable detection

27. FORMAL LEGAL INTEGRATION

This Ownership & Funding Disclosure operates together with:

  • About Us (Legal Version)
  • Editorial Policy
  • Conflicts of Interest Disclosure Policy
  • Advertising Policy
  • Sponsored Content Policy
  • Affiliate Disclosure Policy
  • Transparency Report Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Code of Conduct
  • Grievance Redressal Policy
  • Jurisdiction Policy
  • Governing Law & Dispute Resolution Policy
  • Terms of Service

In case of conflict:

  1. Governing law and court orders
  2. Terms of Service
  3. Privacy and Data Protection Policies
  4. This Disclosure
  5. Other operational policies

28. FINAL DECLARATION

Media credibility depends not only on editorial practices, but on transparent economic structures. WNS therefore commits to publishing ownership and funding information sufficient to allow public evaluation of independence, while respecting lawful confidentiality and business realities.

Contact & Official Communication

Primary Contact Officer
Akhtar Badana
info@worldnewsstudio.com

Phone: +91-9419061646

Correspondence & PR Office
1st Floor, Bhat Complex
Near Astan, Airport Road
Humhama, Srinagar – 190021
Jammu & Kashmir, India

Editorial & Media: editor@worldnewsstudio.com

Grievances: grievances@worldnewsstudio.com

Legal, privacy & Compliance: legal@worldnewsstudio.com

Advertising: advertise@worldnewsstudio.com

Editorial correspondence does not substitute for formal legal or grievance submissions. Grievance submissions are subject to preliminary review for completeness prior to formal registration.