The new press regulator is open for business today with the task of overseeing editorial standards for the majority of national and regional newspapers.

The Presss Complaints Commission has finally closed its doors for the last time to be replaced from today by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (Ipso.)

Most regional publishers have opted to join the new regulator which is designed to be independent of government.

However its decision not to seek ‘approved regulator’ status under the government’s Royal Charter could theoretically leave its signatories open to “exemplarary damages” in libel actions.

Ipso chairman Sir Alan Moses said today: “Ipso aims to help rebuild public trust in the press through independent, fair and transparent regulation.

“Its role as an independent regulator is to provide support and redress for victims of press abuse. To raise standards is to protect the public from abuse.

“The Board and I believe that the freedom of the press can best be maintained by supporting and enhancing standards through an independent regulator. To achieve that aim we are committed to establishing and demonstrating our independence.”

“Where standards have been breached we will apply sanctions and seek redress. Where we see patterns of poor behaviour we will pursue change. Democracy depends on a free but fair press. Through independent regulation Ipso will make an important contribution to that vital objective.”

Membership of Ipso’s Complaints Committee is also expected to be confirmed later today, with a majority of its 12 members being from outside the industry:

The proposed membership is as follows:

Independent members:

Sir Alan Moses
Lara Fielden
David Jessel
Neil Watts
Matthew Lohn
Jill May
Nina Wrightson

Industry members:

Richard Best
Janette Harkess
Gill Hudson
Peter Wright
Elisabeth Ribbans