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Press Complaints

The Press Complaints Commission is an independent organisation set up in 1991 to ensure that British newspapers and magazines follow the letter and spirit of an ethical Code of Practice dealing with issues such as inaccuracy, privacy, misrepresentation and harassment.

Most of the complaints raise possible breaches of the Code and nearly all of those concerning inaccuracy are resolved directly by editors to the satisfaction of those complaining.

The Commission adjudicates formally on the remainder, with all critical adjudications published in full by the publications involved.

Below you will find some useful links along with all our stories about the Press Complaints Commission, including our regular round-up of the latest resolved cases.

Who sits on the PCC

Full text of the Code of Practice

How to make a complaint

History of the PCC

PCC website

Mother's protest over misleading murder story
Plus: Fatal car crash case clarified and more resolved PCC complaints

Dad's complaint over son attack story
Plus: Inaccurate planning story and more resolved PCC complaints

Satchwell attacks MPs over "censorship" plan
All the reaction from today's CMScom report

South Coast daily rapped over suicide report
Story contained "excessive detail" rules watchdog

Three regional editors join industry watchdog
Trio represent 'best traditions of regional press' says Dacre

Struck-off solicitor's complaint over story
Plus: Pizza parlour plan row and more resolved PCC complaints

Expenses row MP complains at 'misleading coverage'
Plus: Poll figures incorrect and more resolved PCC complaints

Press freedom groups call for major PCC reforms
Campaigners call for watchdog to come under FoI Act

Chief constable to help police the press
PCC appoints senior officer as new member

Privacy complaints against North-East titles rejected
Publication of 'suggestive' emails justified rules PCC

'Tranny' tale earns Sunday title press watchdog rap
PPC upholds complaint about 'deeply insulting' story

Mother's complaint over 'underage drinking' photo
Plus: Estate agency claims privacy invaded and more resolved complaints from the PCC

Watchdog rejects BNP activist's 'ridiculous' complaint
Regional daily editor welcomes PCC ruling

Newspaper's coverage of funeral ruled 'inappropriate'
Daily rapped by press watchdog over photos and service details story

New PCC boss calls for end to 'super-injunctions'
But editors should avoid 'shouty headlines' too says Buscombe

Baroness Buscombe's speech in full
The complete text of new PCC chairman's Society of Editors Lecture

Deputy steps up to PCC director's role
Successor to Toulmin announced

Paper's apology over 'alfresco sex' claim
Plus: Press apology over MP payment story and more resolved complaints from the PCC

New petition calls for PCC to be abolished
Over 1,600 already backing call to reform press watchdog

Gory story did not intrude into family's grief
PCC rules in favour of weekly after graphic photo complaint

Regional daily cleared of privacy breach
Press watchdog rejects complaint over arrest report

Widow's complaint about journalist visit
Plus: Incorrect bar brawl location and more resolved complaints from the PCC

Mercury names youths at centre of Pilkington case
Editor explains why he went against PCC code

Press watchdog changes privacy and harassment code
PCC announces three amendments to its Code of Conduct

Watchdog rejects complaint against Welsh daily
Grievance as alleged threats to kill were reported as fact

Murderer's 'harassment' complaint thrown out by PCC
Killer claims regional daily is "obsessed" with him

PCC director to leave post at end of year
Tim Toulmin bids farewell after 13 years with press watchdog

Reader's complaint over racist abuse 'tirade' story
Plus: False impression in foreign workers story, inaccurate arrest report – and more resolved complaints from the PCC

Reader complains over 'sex pest' reference
Plus: Speeding appeal clarified, inaccurate hospital hygiene claim – and more resolved complaints from the PCC

Charity donation after escaped mental patient story
Plus: Inaccurate inquest report, unemployment figures questioned – and more resolved complaints from the PCC

Press apology over inquest inaccuracies
Plus: Gangster's former address prompts reprisal fear, and more resolved complaints from the PCC

London editor to join standards watchdog
Hannah Walker to replace Mike Gilson on committee

Press watchdog to undergo major review
Commission to look at its own transparency and structure

Reader's letter causes grieving family distress
Plus: Scotsman's Salmon blunder set straight, crash victim clears up inaccurances – and more resolved complaints from the PCC

Press apology for murder case headline
Plus: Business complains over investigation story, nostalgia inaccuracies clarified – and more resolved complaints from the PCC

Mourners' photo sparks reader distress
Plus: Inaccurate arson caption and more resolved cases from the PCC

Two new regional editors for press watchdog
New industry representatives appointed to PCC

Reader's complaint over edited letter
Plus: Misleading NHS story, apology for funeral coverage – and more resolved complaints from the PCC

Scottish Sunday cleared of breaching code
Herald entitled to report complaint against Labour peer

Editors warned over Susan Boyle's privacy
PCC reminds papers about reporting singer's health

PCC chair to give Society of Editors lecture
Peta Buscombe joins line-up for this year's conference

Reports of politician's affair branded inaccurate
PCC chides Sunday World for lack of corroboration

New PCC chair to host open day event
First public engagement for Buscombe

Mother's anger over murder trial coverage
Plus: Misleading figures for councillor's expenses, excessive suicide details – and more resolved complaints from the PCC

Sheriff denies she was 'moved to tears'
Plus: Expenses issues clarified, prisoner interview didn't take place – and more resolved cases from the PCC

Weekly paper warned over copycat suicide risk
PCC upholds complaint after inquest report

Robbie Williams complains over privacy invasion
Plus: Reporter took 'insufficient care' with story, deceased man was cleared of charges – and more resolved complaints from the PCC

Gun raid photo prompts reader complaint
Plus – reader's letter mistakenly edited and more resolved complaints from the PCC

New PCC chairman vows to listen
Baroness Buscombe prioritises feedback in new role

'Black Rod' to join press watchdog
Sir Michael Willcocks new charter commissioner with PCC

Record number of complaints lodged with PCC
Annual review highlights privacy as a major issue

PCC chides daily paper over interview with teenager
Girl left distressed after reporter's accident enquiry

Father's distress over paramedic's inquest quote
Plus: Apology over horse sale story – and more resolved complaints from the PCC

Codebook updates suicide reporting guidelines
New edition of Editor's Code of Practice out today

Evening News corrects morning-after pill story
Plus: Bolton News accused of privacy breach – and more resolved complaints from the PCC