Press Regulation in the UK Nowadays: The Guardian about IPSO and IMPRESS

Abstract

According to research different countries have unique experiences in solving ethical conflicts. The current study characterized the current situation of media regulation in the UK as a crisis, since two similar regulators function instead of one single national body. The Independent Press Standards Organization (IPSO) oversees most national newspapers, while the Independent Monitor for the Press (IMPRESS) deals with local and regional publications. The analysis of the Guardian`s articles from 2014 to 2021 on media regulation showed that after the Press Complaints Commission was closed the Guardian didn`t accept IPSO`s protection and worked out its own self-regulatory scheme. The journalists perceive that IPSO repeats the PCC`s mistake and is far from being an independent regulator. The study found that IPSO is not sufficiently resolute and consistent in upholding standards when it comes to major British publications. IPSO refused to accept the jurisdiction of Press Recognition Panel (PRP) that controls if regulators meet certain requirements (39 Criteria). The main advantage of IMPRESS is that it still exists on the basis of grants and voluntary contributions. It is not financially dependent on the media industry and has received an approval of the PRP. IMPRESS deals mostly with local papers so it has no big influence on a national scale. The study found few cases of IMPRESS activities in “The Guardian”. Technologies pose new regulatory issues. A strict system of internal regulation in some publications is an interesting example in this sphere. “The Guardian” has 20 years of experience in such work.