Regulation of industry- IPSO

Understanding IPSO

The Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) is the main regulator for the newspaper and magazine industry in the UK.
IPSO was formed in 2014, replacing the Press Complaints Commission.
It is a self-regulatory body, meaning it is funded and operated by the companies it regulates, a point of controversial debate.
IPSO oversees compliance with the Editor’s Code of Practice, dealing with complaints and breaches.

IPSO upholds professional standards in journalism, assessing malpractice, and inaccuracies in reporting.
It gives members of the public a platform to raise grievances about specific articles and journalistic conduct.
IPSO investigates breaches of the Editor’s Code and can levy fines or demand printed apologies.
It provides guidance and advisory notices to help protect individuals’ privacy and mitigate media harassment.

The Editor’s Code of Practice is the rulebook IPSO uses to set standards for journalistic practice.
It covers areas such as accuracy, privacy, harassment, discrimination, children’s rights, and reporting on crime and inquests.
Newspapers and magazines regulated by IPSO are expected to adhere to the Code in their reporting.
Breaching the Code can result in adjudication against the publisher, corrective actions, and even fines.

Critics argue that as a self-regulatory body, IPSO lacks independence and authority to hold publishers accountable effectively.
There has been criticism around IPSO’s transparency, particularly around how decisions are made and fines applied.
Concerns have also been raised about IPSO’s effectiveness in enforcing sanctions, with calls for greater powers for the regulator.
Some campaigners believe there’s a need for an alternative regulator, such as Impress, which operates under the Royal Charter system, established after the Leveson Inquiry.

Understanding the role and function of IPSO provides insights into the ethical considerations in magazine journalism.
It helps in evaluating the balance between freedom of the press and the respect for individual rights.
The controversies surrounding IPSO further underline the complexities of media regulation and the challenges in establishing an universally accepted model.
Debates about IPSO also encourage reflections on the power dynamics within the media industry and the influence of journalistic practices on society.