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Guide

Press regulation in the UK: IPSO, Impress, the PRP and Ofcom explained

The UK has no single statutory press regulator. Most newspapers, magazines and news websites are members of IPSO, which enforces the Editors’ Code. A smaller group of independent publishers belongs to Impress, the only regulator recognised by the Press Recognition Panel. Broadcasters, including the BBC, are regulated by Ofcom. Membership of a press regulator is voluntary – but defamation, contempt and data protection law apply to everyone who publishes.

This guide explains who regulates what, how complaints work and what it all means for freelancers, bloggers and press card holders.

Read the ethics guide Apply for a press card

At a glance

Newspapers and magazines: IPSO – voluntary membership, Editors’ Code of Practice
Recognised regulator: Impress – recognised by the Press Recognition Panel since 25 October 2016
Broadcasting: Ofcom – Broadcasting Code; BBC since 3 April 2017
Royal Charter: Sealed on 30 October 2013 after the Leveson Inquiry
Section 40: Repealed by the Media Act 2024 – it was never brought into force

Who regulates what

Four systems exist side by side. Which one applies depends on who publishes the content.

Body	Covers	Code	Status
IPSO	Newspapers, magazines and news websites that join – the ICO puts it at more than 1,500 print and more than 1,000 online titles	Editors’ Code of Practice	Voluntary; has not applied for recognition under the Royal Charter
Impress	Independent news publishers – 120+ publishers and 200+ publications	Impress Standards Code	Voluntary; recognised by the Press Recognition Panel
Ofcom	TV and radio broadcasters, the BBC and on-demand services	Ofcom Broadcasting Code	Statutory regulator
Own arrangements	Some titles outside IPSO and Impress, for example the Guardian and the Financial Times	Their own editorial codes	Readers’ editor or independent complaints commissioner

Not every publication belongs to a regulator. Both press regulators are voluntary.

IPSO and the Editors’ Code

The Independent Press Standards Organisation regulates most of the UK’s print and digital news titles.

What IPSO does

IPSO was established in September 2014, after the Press Complaints Commission was wound up. It enforces the Editors’ Code of Practice, which is written and reviewed by the Editors’ Code Committee. The current version took effect on 1 January 2025 and has 16 clauses, from accuracy and privacy to harassment and payments to criminals. Any organisation that publishes editorial content for a UK audience can apply to join; fees start at a little over £250 a year.

Complaints and sanctions

Anyone who is the subject of an article or has been affected by a journalist’s behaviour can complain; anyone can complain about accuracy. Complaints should be made within four months of publication – for online articles up to 12 months, depending on the circumstances. In a standards investigation, IPSO can require an adjudication to be published, impose a fine of up to £1 million and end a publisher’s membership.

Impress: the recognised regulator

Impress regulates independent and smaller news publishers.

Recognition and membership

Impress was recognised by the Press Recognition Panel on 25 October 2016 and remains the only recognised press regulator. Membership is open to UK-based news providers, publishers and content creators from £50 a year. Impress does not offer membership to individual journalists – it regulates publishers.

Standards Code and complaints

The Impress Standards Code has ten clauses, including accuracy, attribution and plagiarism, children, discrimination, privacy, sources and transparency. Complainants first contact the publisher, which should resolve the complaint within 21 calendar days. Complaints to Impress must be made within four months of becoming aware of the content and no later than 12 months after publication. Impress also runs an arbitration scheme.

Leveson, the Royal Charter and the Press Recognition Panel

Why there is a “recognised” regulator – and why most papers are not part of it.

29 November 2012

Lord Justice Leveson publishes the report of his inquiry into the culture, practices and ethics of the press.

30 October 2013

The Royal Charter on Self-Regulation of the Press is sealed. It creates a body to recognise press regulators that meet 29 criteria.

3 November 2014

The Press Recognition Panel comes into existence. It recognises regulators, reviews them and reports to the UK and Scottish Parliaments.

24 July 2024

Section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act 2013 – a costs rule linked to recognised regulators that was never brought into force – is repealed by the Media Act 2024.

Broadcast: Ofcom and the Broadcasting Code

Television, radio and the BBC follow different, statutory rules.

Ofcom’s Broadcasting Code sets standards for programmes, sponsorship, product placement, fairness and privacy. Unlike newspapers, broadcasters must observe due impartiality and due accuracy in news (section 5 of the Code). Regulation of the BBC passed from the BBC Trust to Ofcom on 3 April 2017. Ofcom also regulates on-demand programme services, and the Media Act 2024 introduces additional standards for larger “Tier 1” services, on which Ofcom consulted in 2026.

For journalists, this means: if you produce content for radio or TV, the broadcaster’s compliance team will apply the Broadcasting Code to your work, regardless of which press regulator, if any, applies to your written work.

Freelancers, bloggers and independent publishers

What applies if you are not on the staff of a regulated title?

No duty to join

There is no legal obligation for publishers, bloggers or freelancers to join a press regulator. Since the repeal of section 40, not joining a recognised regulator no longer carries a costs risk under that provision.

The outlet’s code applies

When you write for an IPSO or Impress member, your work is published under that publisher’s regulator and code. Freelancers should know the code of every outlet they work for.

Small publishers can join

IPSO accepts online-only and small publishers; Impress is aimed at independent publishers. Membership can strengthen trust with readers and organisers – but it is the publisher, not the individual journalist, who joins.

The law applies to everyone

Regulators set professional standards. The courts apply the law – whether or not you belong to a regulator.

Law	What it means for journalists
Defamation Act 2013, section 1 (England and Wales)	A statement is only defamatory if its publication has caused or is likely to cause serious harm to the claimant’s reputation; for businesses, serious financial loss
Defamation Act 2013, section 4	Defence of publication on a matter of public interest, where the publisher reasonably believed publication was in the public interest
Contempt of Court Act 1981, sections 1–2	Strict liability: a publication can be contempt regardless of intent if it creates a substantial risk of serious prejudice to active proceedings
Data Protection Act 2018, Schedule 2, Part 5, para 26	The journalism exemption: certain UK GDPR rules do not apply where the controller reasonably believes publication is in the public interest and compliance would be incompatible with journalism

General information, not legal advice. Take legal advice before publishing high-risk material.

Where press cards fit in

Press cards and press regulation are separate systems.

A press card identifies a journalist; it does not make anyone a member of a regulator, and regulators do not issue press cards. The UK Press Card is run by the UK Press Card Authority through its gatekeepers – see UK Press Card. The FJA press card is an independent card: holders commit to our usage guidelines, and we expect them to work to recognised professional standards such as the Editors’ Code or the NUJ Code of Conduct – see journalism ethics.

Frequently asked questions

Is press regulation in the UK compulsory?

No. Both press regulators, IPSO and Impress, are voluntary, and not all publications belong to one. Broadcasting is different: TV and radio are regulated by Ofcom under statute.

What is the difference between IPSO and Impress?

IPSO regulates most national, regional and magazine titles and enforces the Editors’ Code. Impress regulates independent publishers under its own Standards Code and is the only regulator recognised by the Press Recognition Panel under the Royal Charter.

What does the Press Recognition Panel do?

It was set up under the Royal Charter on Self-Regulation of the Press to decide whether press regulators meet the Charter’s criteria, to review recognised regulators and to report to Parliament. It does not handle complaints about articles.

How do I complain about a newspaper article?

Find out whether the publication is a member of IPSO or Impress, or has its own complaints system. Usually you contact the publisher first. IPSO complaints should be made within four months of publication (longer for some online articles); Impress complaints within four months of becoming aware and no later than 12 months after publication.

Who regulates the BBC?

Ofcom has regulated the BBC since 3 April 2017, when responsibility passed from the BBC Trust.

Was section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act ever in force?

No. It was never commenced and was repealed by the Media Act 2024 with effect from 24 July 2024.

Do I need to join a regulator to get a press card?

No. Press cards and regulation are separate. For the FJA card, we look at your regular journalistic work, not at regulator membership – see the requirements.

Does the Editors’ Code apply to freelancers?

It applies to content published by IPSO members, including work supplied by freelancers. Editors are responsible for compliance, so freelancers working for regulated titles are expected to follow the Code.

Sources and last review

IPSO – What we do
IPSO – Joining IPSO – fees and eligibility
IPSO – Editors’ Code of Practice – current version from 1 January 2025
IPSO – How to complain – time limits
IPSO – Standards investigations – fines up to £1 million
ICO – Complaining to IPSO – number of titles
Impress – About us – recognition 25 October 2016
Impress – Membership
Impress – Complaints
Press Recognition Panel – role and status
House of Commons Library – Press regulation (CBP-7576) – Royal Charter, voluntary regulation
Media Act 2024, section 50 – repeal of section 40
Crime and Courts Act 2013, section 40 – omitted 24 July 2024
Ofcom – Broadcasting Code
Ofcom – BBC performance – BBC regulation since 3 April 2017
Defamation Act 2013, section 1
Defamation Act 2013, section 4
Contempt of Court Act 1981, section 2
Data Protection Act 2018, Schedule 2 Part 5 – journalism exemption

Last reviewed: October 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice.