Speculation has arisen since The Times editor James Harding resigned on Wednesday (12 December) after five years in his post.
In his resignation speech to editorial staff Harding said: "It has been made clear to me that News Corporation would like to appoint a new editor of the times. I have therefore agreed to stand down."
Harding will terminate his contract at the end of the year and his replacement will be decided by the national independent directors of The Times.
UK media has speculated that Harding’s departure would pave the way toward merging the two titles to become a single, seven-day newspaper. This would mean News International reneging on its governmental commitment, set when the news giant bought the titles in 1981, to keep The Times and The Sunday Times separate.
The pledge was agreed in order to preserve the editorial independence of the titles under competition law.
News International head of corporate affairs Daisy Dunlop said that the publisher had not formally approached the government to consider changing the undertakings. She said that reports were merely "speculation" and denied rumours that News International executives had discussed being released from the legal agreement with government officials.
At the end of a year during which both titles launched iPad versions, Harding said: "We have pioneered a revolution in digital that I hope will safeguard the future of newspapers beyond print.
"This paper has an unrivalled history and, I am extremely confident, a long and impressive future ahead of it."
