Part of the BBC's role is to act as a Trusted Guide on the web. When producers are creating content on a BBC site, they should consider which external websites it may be editorially justifiable to link to.

Editorial justification for linking to external sites

Producers may wish to offer links to external sites for a number of reasons, including:

• for further relevant information
• for further background information or other key source material
• for useful practical information
• for further informed comment.

A link must never be included on the public service site or within the editorial content of a commercial site, in return for cash, services or any other consideration in kind.

All links on the BBC public service site or on the editorial pages of a commercial site must be editorially justifiable.