The Morning Advertiser began publication in London in 1794 as The Publican's Morning Advertiser, a daily newspaper intended to popularise the Society of Licensed Victuallers. It contained news about pubs and their landlords, breweries, and Society information.

The Society of Licensed Victuallers was a charitable one, designed to benefit both pub owners and its members. It would supply funds to those in need from a kitty filled by an annual subscription fee from those who could afford to pay it. In keeping with the Society’s interests, the Morning Advertiser did not align itself with a political party, instead focusing on pub and brewery trade interests.

This paper is the oldest continuously produced newspaper in the United Kingdom and is still being published today.