Modern Slavery Statement

1. Introduction and Commitment

This statement is made pursuant to Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and sets out the steps that A News Time has taken and continues to take to ensure that modern slavery, human trafficking, forced labour, and any other form of exploitation does not take place within our business or supply chain. This statement covers the financial year ending March 2026.

A News Time has a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery and is committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business dealings and relationships. We are committed to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure slavery and human trafficking is not taking place anywhere within our organisation or in any of our supply chains.

2. Our Organisation and Structure

A News Time is a digital news publication that provides editorial content, news reporting, and analysis across 11 content categories. Our operations are primarily digital, with a distributed team of editors, writers, and technical staff. We operate from the United States and serve a global readership.

Our workforce consists of permanent employees, contracted editorial staff, and freelance contributors. All individuals working with us do so voluntarily and are compensated fairly for their work.

3. Our Supply Chain

Our supply chain is predominantly digital and includes the following categories of suppliers:

• Technology providers: Cloud hosting, content delivery networks, analytics platforms, and software-as-a-service tools.
• Content contributors: Freelance writers, photographers, and multimedia producers who contribute to our editorial output.
• Advertising partners: Advertising networks and direct advertisers who fund our operations.
• Professional services: Legal, accounting, and consultancy firms that provide business support.

We recognise that while our supply chain is relatively low-risk compared to industries involving physical goods manufacturing, we maintain vigilance and conduct appropriate due diligence.

4. Risk Assessment

We assess the risk of modern slavery across our operations and supply chain by considering the following factors:

• Geographic risk: We evaluate the modern slavery risks associated with the countries in which our suppliers and contractors operate, using indices such as the Global Slavery Index.
• Sector risk: We consider the inherent risks in the sectors from which we procure services, particularly where low-cost labour markets may be involved.
• Engagement model risk: We pay particular attention to freelance and contract arrangements to ensure fair terms and voluntary engagement.

Our assessment indicates that the overall risk of modern slavery in our direct operations and primary supply chain is low. However, we remain aware that modern slavery can exist in any industry and continue to monitor and review risks regularly.

5. Due Diligence and Policies

We have implemented the following measures to identify and mitigate the risk of modern slavery:

• Supplier vetting: We conduct due diligence on new suppliers and review existing supplier practices to ensure compliance with ethical labour standards.
• Contractual requirements: Our supplier agreements include clauses requiring compliance with all applicable laws relating to modern slavery and human trafficking.
• Fair compensation: We ensure that all contributors and staff are paid fairly and on time. We do not engage in practices such as withholding wages, retaining identity documents, or restricting freedom of movement.
• Recruitment practices: Our recruitment processes are transparent and ethical. We verify the identity and right to work of all employees and do not charge recruitment fees to candidates.
• Whistleblowing mechanism: We provide confidential channels for employees, contractors, and external parties to report concerns about modern slavery without fear of retaliation.

6. Training and Awareness

We ensure that key personnel, particularly those involved in procurement and supplier management, are aware of the risks of modern slavery and understand how to identify and report potential indicators. Training is provided as part of onboarding for new staff in relevant roles, with refresher guidance issued annually.

7. Key Performance Indicators

We measure the effectiveness of our efforts through the following indicators:

• Percentage of new suppliers assessed against modern slavery criteria
• Number of concerns or reports raised through our reporting channels
• Completion rate of relevant staff training
• Outcomes of any investigations into reported concerns

In the reporting period covered by this statement, no instances of modern slavery were identified in our operations or supply chain, and no reports were received through our whistleblowing channels relating to modern slavery.

8. Looking Ahead

In the coming year, we intend to strengthen our approach by reviewing and updating our supplier due diligence processes, expanding awareness training to a broader set of team members, and continuing to monitor developments in legislation and best practice.

9. Reporting Concerns

If you have any concerns about modern slavery in our operations or supply chain, or if you suspect that modern slavery may be taking place in connection with any aspect of our business, please contact us confidentially at help@anewstime.com. All reports will be investigated thoroughly and treated with the strictest confidence. We will not tolerate retaliation against anyone who raises a genuine concern.

10. Board Approval

This statement has been reviewed and approved by the leadership team of A News Time and will be reviewed and updated annually.