This page tells you who we are, what we do, and how you can rely on us. Use the sections below to find our editorial team, our policies on accuracy and transparency, and the simplest way to get in touch. Everything here is written to help you understand how Civic Affairs works for you, the reader.
What is Civic Affairs and who is it for?
Civic Affairs is a digital news publication focused on United Kingdom civic affairs, public policy, local government, councils, Westminster, community affairs, business regulation and the institutions that shape everyday civic life. We are for readers in the UK and internationally who want helpful, reliable, people-first journalism about how public life actually works.
Our coverage is designed to be practical and accessible: whether you are a councillor, a civil servant, a business owner, a community organiser or simply someone who wants to understand the decisions that affect your local area, we aim to give you clarity. We do not chase clicks or sensational headlines. Instead we publish news reporting, analysis, explainers, opinion pieces and public-interest journalism that put the reader first.
What do we cover?
We cover the full range of subjects that fall under UK civic and public affairs. Our reporters and editors track policy decisions at Westminster and Whitehall, scrutinise local government and council operations, investigate business regulation and institutional accountability, and report on community affairs and social policy at neighbourhood level.
- Westminster & Whitehall: legislation, parliamentary procedure, government departments and regulatory bodies.
- Local government & councils: council decisions, funding, service delivery and democratic accountability.
- Community affairs: civic society, public services, neighbourhood-level reporting and social policy.
- Business & public policy: regulation, economic oversight, industry standards and the rule of law in business.
- Public life: institutions that shape everyday civic experience, from town halls to regulators.
How do we work?
We publish only after human editorial review. Every story is checked for accuracy, fairness and legal safety before it is made public. Sensitive stories – those involving political allegations, legal matters, institutional wrongdoing, financial claims, minors or privacy-sensitive reporting – receive additional review by our Standards & Fact-Checking Lead, Diane Forbes.
Our editorial standards are set out in our Editorial Policy and our Fact-Checking Policy. We also have a clear AI and Automation Policy: digital tools may support research, editing, formatting and translation, but no AI is ever allowed to fabricate quotes, sources, interviews, bylines or expert profiles. Every published piece is reviewed by a human editor.
How this works in practice
Suppose we receive a tip about a council’s procurement irregularities. Our newsdesk assesses the tip, and our Public Affairs & Governance Editor, Kieran Doherty, begins reporting. He interviews sources, reviews contracts and cross-checks financial data. Before the story is written, Diane Forbes reviews the evidence for fact-checking and legal sensitivity. Managing Editor Sarah Mills then commissions the piece, works with Kieran on structure and headline, and sends a draft to Editor-in-Chief William Ashby for final approval. Only after that chain of checks does the article appear on site. This process applies to every sensitive story, not just high-profile ones.
Who is responsible?
Editor-in-Chief William Ashby (william.ashby@civicaffairs.uk) oversees editorial policy, corrections, publication decisions and content quality. Day-to-day editorial planning is led by Managing Editor Sarah Mills (sarah.mills@civicaffairs.uk). They are supported by a dedicated team, each with a specific brief – you can meet everyone on our Our Team page.
The team includes Kieran Doherty (Public Affairs & Governance Editor), Lucy Hartley (Community & Society Correspondent), Oscar Friel (Business & Public Policy Correspondent), and Diane Forbes (Standards & Fact-Checking Lead). Each member is named, contactable, and accountable for their area of coverage.
Who owns and funds us?
Civic Affairs is operated by Sliema Media Limited, a company registered in Malta (company number C 84217, registered office Level 3 Tower Business Centre, Tower Street, Swatar, Birkirkara BKR 4013, Malta). Although the operating company is based in Malta, our editorial coverage is entirely focused on UK audiences and UK civic and public-affairs subjects. Our main phone is +356 2779 4100; our UK editorial line is +44 20 4587 9485.
We are funded through display advertising, affiliate links, commercial partnerships, sponsored content, newsletter sponsorships, content licensing, and event and media partnerships. Sponsored or commercial material is always clearly labelled, and affiliate links are disclosed. Commercial relationships never determine editorial conclusions. For full details see our Advertising and Affiliate Disclosure and our Ownership and Funding page.
How can you reach us?
Our general contact email is info@civicaffairs.uk. If you have a tip, a correction, a complaint or a press enquiry, you can use the function addresses (editorial, tips, corrections, complaints, press) all at @civicaffairs.uk. For a full list of contact options visit our Contact page.
You can also call our UK editorial line on +44 20 4587 9485 or our Malta office on +356 2779 4100. We welcome feedback, suggestions and story ideas from readers.
In short
Civic Affairs provides helpful, reliable, people-first journalism on UK civic and public affairs. We are transparent about our ownership, funding and editorial processes. If you have a question or information to share, please get in touch – we are here to serve the public interest.