MorningTimes.uk takes full responsibility for all sponsored content published on the site. Windmill Hill Media Ltd., registered in Gibraltar (company number 130642) with its registered office at Suite 12, Neptune House, Marina Bay, Gibraltar GX11 1AA, oversees the commercial and editorial operations that govern this policy. The Editor-in-Chief, Edward Sterling, holds final authority over all content classification and labelling.
What is sponsored content on MorningTimes.uk?
Sponsored content is editorial material paid for by a commercial partner. It is distinct from independent journalism because a third party funds its production. This content may include articles, guides, videos, or interactive features that are commissioned or created in collaboration with a paying partner.
All sponsored content is clearly labelled with the word “Sponsored” or “Sponsored by [Partner Name]” at the top of the page. The label appears in a prominent position immediately below the headline and is not hidden or obscured. Readers will never encounter sponsored material that appears identical to independent news articles without this explicit disclosure.
What rules govern sponsored content?
Sponsored content must always be clearly and conspicuously labelled as such. Commercial partners receive no approval over independent editorial decisions, news coverage, or the conclusions of fact-checking or analysis. The Standards & Fact-Checking Lead, Helen Carver, reviews all sponsored material to ensure compliance with this policy before publication.
No partner may influence the editorial independence of MorningTimes.uk. Marcus Bell, Politics & Public Affairs Editor, Priya Sharma, Business & Economy Editor, and James Holloway, Culture & Society Editor, maintain sole authority over their respective sections. Sponsored content never dictates newsroom priorities or alters the editorial calendar managed by Catherine Lowe, Managing Editor.
How does sponsored content differ from affiliate links?
Sponsored content is paid for directly by a partner as a flat fee for production and placement. Affiliate links, by contrast, are embedded within independent editorial content and generate commission only when a reader makes a purchase. Both are fully disclosed, but the mechanisms of payment and editorial control differ substantively.
Readers can find the detailed breakdown of affiliate practices on our Advertising & Affiliate Disclosure page. That policy explains how commissions are earned and how affiliate relationships never determine the substance of our reporting. Sponsored content is a separate arrangement governed solely by this Sponsored Content Policy.
How does MorningTimes.uk maintain editorial independence?
Editorial independence is non-negotiable. Commercial partnerships never determine editorial conclusions, story selection, or the tone of analysis. The Editorial Policy and Ownership & Funding pages document the structural safeguards that separate revenue from reporting.
Edward Sterling, as Editor-in-Chief, has the final say on any content that touches on commercial interests. No sponsored piece is published without his or Helen Carver’s explicit sign-off. This ensures that every labelled sponsorship meets the same standards of accuracy and transparency as our independent journalism.
Where can I submit enquiries about sponsored content?
All enquiries regarding sponsored content, commercial partnerships, and sponsorship proposals should be directed to sponsored@morningtimes.uk. The commercial team reviews every request and responds to potential partners with full details of our disclosure requirements and editorial boundaries.
General contact information, including the postal address and main phone line +350 200 66010, is available on our Contact page. Readers are welcome to raise concerns about any content they suspect may be undisclosed advertising.
Our commitments
- All sponsored content is labelled clearly and conspicuously at the top of the page with the word “Sponsored” or “Sponsored by [Partner Name]” before any body text.
- Commercial partners receive no editorial approval or veto power over independent news, analysis, or fact-checking decisions.
- Every sponsored piece is reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief and the Standards & Fact-Checking Lead before publication.
- Sponsored content is never designed or formatted to deceive readers into mistaking it for independent journalism.
- All sponsored relationships are managed transparently via the dedicated commercial email address sponsored@morningtimes.uk, ensuring a clear separation from the newsroom.