What does this mean for you as a reader?
This editorial policy explains exactly how Civic Affairs produces trustworthy journalism for UK civic life. Every article you read here has been through a clear, consistent process designed to minimise error, prevent bias, and keep commercial interests separate from editorial decisions. Use this page to understand our rules, our people, and how to hold us accountable if something doesn’t feel right.
We want you to feel confident that what you’re reading is accurate, fair, and transparent. The policy below covers everything from how we handle sensitive stories to how we label sponsored content. If you ever have a question about a specific article, the byline, editor label and source references on that page will point you to the relevant procedures.
How do we ensure every article is reliable?
Every piece of editorial content — whether it’s a news report, analysis, opinion piece, or feature — is reviewed by an editor before it goes live. No article is published without a second set of eyes checking facts, tone, structure and alignment with our editorial standards. For stories that involve political allegations, legal matters, institutional wrongdoing, financial or health claims, minors, or privacy-sensitive reporting, the article also receives additional review from our Standards & Fact-Checking Lead, Diane Forbes (diane.forbes@civicaffairs.uk).
This two-tier review means that potentially damaging or high‑risk content is never left to a single decision. Diane works with the editor and the reporter to verify sources, check context, and confirm that any allegations are supported by evidence. Our fact‑checking policy, linked at /fact-checking-policy/, details how we corroborate claims, how we handle anonymous sources, and how we correct errors when they occur.
How do we keep news, opinion and commercial content separate?
We draw clear lines between different types of content so you always know what you’re reading. News articles are strictly factual reporting. Opinion pieces carry the author’s personal viewpoint and are clearly labelled “Opinion” in the headline and byline. Features and analysis pieces combine reporting with interpretation but are still grounded in verified information. Sponsored content, affiliate links, and promotional material are each labelled with distinct notices — “Sponsored”, “Affiliate”, or “Promotional” — and never disguised as independent journalism.
Our sponsored content policy explains the rules that govern commercial partnerships. Sponsors have no influence over editorial conclusions, and every sponsored article includes a statement to that effect. Affiliate revenue, disclosed in individual articles via a short notice, helps fund our journalism but never dictates what we cover or how we cover it. For full details on our advertising and affiliate practices, see /advertising-affiliate-disclosure/.
How do we make each article transparent?
Every article on Civic Affairs includes a byline with a link to the author’s profile page, the original publication date, the date of last update if revised, and an editor or reviewer label where applicable. Source references are provided inline or in a dedicated notes section at the bottom. If an article contains sponsored or affiliate content, that’s disclosed prominently. Any correction applied after publication is noted at the top of the article with a link to our corrections policy.
This transparency extends to our sourcing. We name our sources unless there is a compelling journalistic reason to grant anonymity — and even then, we explain why anonymity was given. Our sources and standards page sets out the principles we follow. If you see an article that lacks this kind of detail, please contact our editorial team at info@civicaffairs.uk so we can investigate.
How do we guarantee our independence?
Civic Affairs is editorially independent from any political party, commercial interest, or external influence. Our parent company, Sliema Media Limited (registered in Malta, company number C 84217), provides operational support but does not direct editorial decisions. Our funding comes from display advertising, affiliate links, commercial partnerships, sponsored content, newsletter sponsorships, content licensing, and event partnerships — all of which are clearly labelled. Commercial relationships never determine what we write or how we write it.
We publish a full breakdown of our ownership and funding at /ownership-funding/. That page lists our revenue streams, the company structure, and a statement of editorial independence signed by our Editor‑in‑Chief, William Ashby. We also maintain a separate advertising and affiliate disclosure page that explains how you can tell when content is monetised.
How do we use artificial intelligence?
We use digital tools, including AI, to support research, editing, formatting, translation, metadata, headline options, summaries, and transcription. However, every piece of published editorial content is reviewed by a human editor before publication. AI is never allowed to fabricate quotes, sources, interviews, bylines, author experience, or expert profiles. Any use of AI-generated text is always verified and edited by a person with relevant subject knowledge.
Our full AI and automation policy details the specific tools we use, the safeguards in place, and how we review AI outputs for accuracy and bias. If you believe an article shows signs of unverified AI use, please report it to our Standards & Fact‑Checking Lead, Diane Forbes, via diane.forbes@civicaffairs.uk.
Who writes and reviews our journalism?
All editorial staff and regular contributors are listed on our our team page. Each author has a profile page that includes their background, areas of expertise, and contact details. Named bylines are the norm; we do not publish anonymous journalism except in exceptional circumstances where safety or confidentiality requires it, and even then we explain the reason. Our editor‑in‑chief, William Ashby, oversees all editorial policy and can be reached at william.ashby@civicaffairs.uk. Managing Editor Sarah Mills handles day‑to‑day commissioning and workflow. Every article you read is attributable to a real person with a track record.
How to raise a concern or file a complaint
If you believe an article is inaccurate, unfair, or breaches our editorial standards, please contact our complaints team. The quickest route is to email complaints@civicaffairs.uk with the article URL and a clear description of your concern. Our complaints procedure, linked at /complaints-procedure/, explains the steps we take: initial review within two working days, escalation to the editor‑in‑chief if unresolved, and a final written response within 15 working days. We also accept complaints via post addressed to Sliema Media Limited, Level 3 Tower Business Centre, Tower Street, Swatar, Birkirkara BKR 4013, Malta. All complaints are handled confidentially and without prejudice.
How this works in practice
Let’s take a concrete example. Suppose Sarah Mills, our Managing Editor, commissions a news article about a council spending dispute. The reporter drafts the piece, includes named sources from the council and opposition, and provides a link to the relevant public documents. Kieran Doherty, our Public Affairs & Governance Editor, reviews the article for factual accuracy, balance, and legal risk. Because the story involves allegations of financial mismanagement — a sensitive topic — Diane Forbes, our Standards & Fact‑Checking Lead, then does a separate verification of each claim, checking the source documents and, if time allows, contacting the council for comment. Once both reviews are complete, the article is published with a clear byline, publication date, and a note that it was reviewed by the Public Affairs & Governance Editor and the Standards & Fact‑Checking Lead. If a correction is needed later — say a figure is misquoted — we update the article, mark it as “Corrected”, and link to the correction policy. That’s the process in action.
In short
Our editorial policy is designed to give you confidence that every article you read on Civic Affairs is accurate, independent, and transparent. From the initial editorial review through to final publication and any subsequent corrections, we follow clear, accountable steps. If you ever have a question or a concern, the people named above are accessible, and the procedures are public — that’s how we earn trust, one article at a time.