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Independent. Accessible. Transparent. Bold. Fair. Annual Report 2018 CONTENTS IPSO Annual Report 2018 Regulation is vital for 3 The Chairman protecting the public.” 4 The Chief Executive 5 Values Rt. Hon. Sir Alan Moses 6 Information to support the public CHAIRMAN 8 Response to the Kerslake Review ive years ago, few would have believed The personalities may have changed but the qualities that we would make such determined have not. They all set examples of independence of 10 Quality guidance and training progress in establishing regulation as vital thought and decision, examples which have been for protecting the public and maintaining whole-heartedly followed. As the renewal of five year 12 Transparent monitoring and scrutiny freedom of expression. But I am confident contracts between IPSO and its regulated entities that IPSO is now justified in making that has just taken place, it is worth re-iterating that the 14 The IPSO mark and fake news Fclaim. Standing at the boundary between protection public will be best protected by voluntary but binding of freedom of expression and the harm that may be agreements by which the press submit to regulation 15 Compulsory arbitration caused by unregulated opinion and news, we cannot by IPSO. The past five years shows, beyond question, escape criticism from both the public and those we the importance of this as a framework for a free and 16 Complaints regulate. But that criticism merely shows how seriously vibrant press and protection for the public. they take our rulings and guidance. 18 Most complained about articles If this has a touch of retrospective pride and optimism Our achievements are due, in the main, to four for the future, I hope I may be forgiven because, a 19 Case studies features of IPSO: our administrators who daily new Chair has been selected and I will leave at the engage with the public with patient concern; our end of 2019. What I am happy to have achieved is 22 Publisher complaints statistics complaints staff who stand up for the public; our due entirely to the guidance of Chief Executive, Matt independent vociferous Complaints Committee; our Tee; Director of Operations, Charlotte Dewar; Head Board, far-seeing and canny, providing the right of Standards, Charlotte Urwin; Heads of Complaints 24 Board direction for progress. past and present, Bianca Strohmann, Ben Gallop, Holly Pick and Lauren Sloan; and Communications 26 Complaints Committee In 2018 Martyn Lewis and Keith Perch, who had been Manager, Vikki Julian − all of whom have given me with us since our inception, left our Board and Ian direction and supported me throughout. I am more 28 Staff team MacGregor, Martin Trepte and Matthew Lohn were than grateful to them and to every one of those at appointed. Nina Wrightson, Gill Hudson, Neil Watts IPSO who have served and continue to serve the 29 Financial report and David Jessel left our Complaints Committee and public and the press. My confidence that under a new Helyn Mensah, David Hutton, Mark Payton and Andy Chair we can, and will, do even better, is a tribute 30 Member publishers Brennan were appointed. to them all. 2 IPSO Annual report 2018 IPSO Annual report 2018 3 VALUES IPSO has proved its effectiveness.” Matt Tee IPSO is the independent regulator of the vast CHIEF EXECUTIVE majority of the UK’s newspaper and magazine espite being wholly independent of all counts and the judgment was helpful in confirming industry. We hold newspapers and magazines to government, events in Parliament our application of the Editors’ Code. can have an impact on us – and in account for their actions, protect individual rights, 2018 issues around press regulation We have further developed our services and featured more than at any time since the areas we work in – producing new guidance uphold high standards of journalism and help to the Leveson report. The government and information for the public; stepping up our Dannounced that it would not undertake the second engagement with the public and with groups and part of the Leveson Inquiry and would repeal Section people who have concerns about coverage of maintain freedom of expression for the press. 40 of the Crime and Courts Act, which would have particular issues; as well as extending our enabled judges to award costs against newspapers training programme to support more journalists not regulated by a recognised regulator, even if they and students than ever before to produce high OUR VALUES won. They also saw off attempts to amend the Data quality content. Protection Bill which would have imposed these. A highlight of 2018 was the launch of the IPSO mark, One of the key arguments used by ministers for this which our 1,500 print and 1,100 online titles can was that IPSO has proved its effectiveness and further use to show they embrace high editorial standards, Independent Bold Fair Accessible Transparent measures are not necessary. This effectiveness was distinguishing themselves from the unregulated by bolstered by national newspapers agreeing to be demonstrating that they choose to hold themselves subject to a compulsory arbitration scheme (rather accountable. than a previous voluntary scheme). This means that anyone with a case against a newspaper that could Although the newspaper and magazine industry We will carry out We will act without We will reach We will make it as Our work will have been heard in court, can have it arbitrated by a faces a number of complex challenges over the our work free fear or favour. judgements easy as possible be in the public from control or according to our for the public to domain, ensuring very senior lawyer at low cost − and the newspaper short term, I firmly believe that one of the ways in interference by the rules based on access our services our actions and has to go along with it. which it can thrive and prosper is by its commitment press, Parliament, the evidence we and to engage processes are clear to independent, effective regulation. Looking to the interest groups or have gathered and with us. and visible, while Our work also received endorsement in court. A future, 2019 has seen the renewal of publishers’ five individuals. our actions and fulfilling any duty judicial review brought against one of our rulings − year contracts, as we move into a second phase of sanctions will be of confidentiality. the first since we started in 2014− was dismissed on regulating the press and protecting the public. proportionate. 4 IPSO Annual report 2018 IPSO Annual report 2018 5 Fleet Street, London. 2018 TOP STORIES SUPPORTING THE PUBLIC 1Guidance on the issues the public ask us about most OUR INFORMATION helps the public to understand In 2018 we produced four pieces of guidance “Reporting on a death” is for people who have ● HOW WE DEVELOP OUR GUIDANCE the rules which IPSO-regulated newspapers and addressing topics which we receive lots of inquiries 2 suffered a recent loss of someone close to them. magazines must follow, so they can be more from the public about. It explains what to expect when newspapers and Quality information to support confident in engaging with the press and know how magazines report a death or an inquest, as well as survivors of sexual offences IPSO can help if things go wrong. “Court reporting: What to expect” is for those who about how IPSO can help. may be involved in court proceedings, including 1 We met with many survivors who talked about how We use knowledge and data from daily work witnesses, people accused of a crime or the family “Journalism and the use of information from sensitive media reporting of sexual offences helped with complaints, wide monitoring of the media of someone accused of a crime. It explains the 3 social media” is for anyone concerned about how them to speak about their own experiences and landscape and engagement with groups interested importance of open justice and gives information a newspaper or magazine can use information taken encouraged them to seek support. We wanted to help in coverage of particular issues to help us produce about what to expect when the press is interested in from social media, and gives advice about the rules those who may come into contact with the media, whether they want to speak about their own experiences our information, which has been awarded the Plain reporting court cases, and how IPSO can help with which newspapers and magazines must follow as well or not, by producing information for them. English Crystal Mark. any concerns. as the support IPSO can offer. We worked with organisations which provide support to survivors of sexual offences and domestic “Information for survivors of sexual offences” violence, including Rape Crisis, Solace Women’s Aid, This has come at such an important time for survivors who 4 explains what survivors should expect from LimeCulture and Women’s Aid. IPSO members of staff also met with survivors of sexual offences and journalists, empowering them to speak to the media are speaking out since the #MeToo movement started.” domestic violence, as part of the Angles project should they wish to, and to know where to go for help being run by On Road Media. NATHALIE MCDERMOTT, CEO, ON ROAD MEDIA, ON OUR INFORMATION FOR SURVIVORS if they do have any concerns. 6 IPSO Annual report 2018 IPSO Annual report 2018 7 2018 TOP STORIES IPSO operates a 24-hour helpline for people concerned about potential press intrusion Our action plan demonstrates how we will protect people in major incident situations in future.” SIR ALAN MOSES, CHAIRMAN OF IPSO, RESPONDING TO THE KERSLAKE REVIEW strike a difficult balance between reporting training and resources, working with journalists accurately and sympathetically on tragedies on and people affected.