Ipso delighted by publishers' revelations of their annual statements
Landmark moment as newspapers and magazines disclose how they deal with editorial standards and their relationship with the press regulator
In something of a landmark move, newspaper and magazine publishing groups regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (Ipso) have published their annual statements.
They disclose information about publishers’ approaches to editorial standards, complaints-handling processes and records of compliance, including details of complaints dealt with by Ipso.
According to Ipso’s press release about the matter, “this is the first time in its history” that the UK press has “publicly disclosed its procedures and failures to comply with the editors’ code [of practice].”
Sir Alan Moses, Ipso’s chairman, is clearly delighted with this transparency, regarding it as a demonstration to the public that publishers take the code seriously and that they also “acknowledge the authority of Ipso.” He said:
“The annual statement is a vital element in the fulfilment of Ipso’s regulatory functions of monitoring and improving compliance with the editors’ code...The annual statements are a remarkable undertaking by the UK press, which just a few years ago would have been unimaginable, and I am grateful for their hard work and cooperation in producing this first set of statements.”
Moses believes the publication of annual statements is “one way by which Ipso can acquire the information necessary to act as an effective independent regulator and assist the press in gaining the trust and authority which regulation is designed to achieve.”
And Matt Tee, Ipso’s chief executive, saw publication as representing “an important step in the development of Ipso as a regulator.”
Well, they would say that, wouldn’t they? Clearly, Ipso is eager to dispel continuing criticism from those - such as Hacked Off - who remain sceptical about its work.
Critics may well note that the statements are historic: they cover only the first period of Ipso’s existence, from 8 September 2014 to the end of December 2014.
In so doing, publishers have fulfilled their obligations under their contract with Ipso to providing such statements. It is expected that statements for the whole of 2015 will be published in late spring next year.
The statements, which can be found on Ipso’s website, cover best-selling national newspaper titles, such as the Sun and Daily Mail, to much smaller titles, such as the digital-only fortnightly local outlet, the Glossop Gazette.
In the magazine sector, it includes glossy magazines like Glamour alongside highly specialised publications – some in print, some online – covering topics ranging from running (Fetch Everyone, Runner’s World) to water treatment (Desalination and Water Reuse). Doubtless the producers of Have I Got News For You will take note.
I’m not quite as moved by this turn of events as Ipso’s “historic” press release implies. But I cannot help but recognise that it enables the public to get a better grasp of how newspapers respond to complaints. And that, in itself, is an advance.
The Guardian and Observer has not joined Ipso. Nor have the Financial Times and the Independent titles, along with various smaller magazines, notably Private Eye.
I plan to take some time reading the individual statements, which could take some time, and will report later on some of the details.
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