The Press Complaints Commission was set up in 1991 to ensure that British newspapers and magazines follow the letter and spirit of the Editor’s Code of Practice which deals with ethical issues such as inaccuracy, privacy, misrepresentation and harassment. The PCC was replaced by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) in 2014.
Most complaints are resolved directly by editors to the satisfaction of those complaining. ISPO adjudicates formally on the remainder, with all critical adjudications published in full by the publications involved.
We aim to cover all IPSO adjudications on HoldtheFrontPage, and you will find them here.
Letters page anonymity has been given a vote of confidence by the Press Complaints Commission after it rejected a council complaint against the Hull Daily Mail. Mail editor John Meehan said he was “pleased but not surprised” that a complaint
A local paper has been rapped for interviewing a 15-year-old girl without the consent of her parents. The Press Complaints Commission ruled that although the girl had agreed to be interviewed and photographed by journalists from the Daily Post, this
A local paper has been rapped for identifying a child witness and potentially putting her in danger. The Press Complaints Commission ruled that although the Eastbourne edition of The Argus had acted properly by speaking to the girl’s mother, it
The Evening Standard has been cleared of breaching the harassment clause of the newspapers’ Code of Practice after a complaint about the behaviour of a reporter and a photographer to the Press Complaints Commission. The complaint came from the head
Hull Daily Mail editor John Meehan has expressed surprise after East Riding Council members passed a motion calling for the newspaper to be reported to the Press Complaints Commission. The move follows the publication of a letter on July 6
A press expose on terrorist videos openly on sale at a city centre mosque has been cleared of inaccuracy by the Press Complaints Commission. It sent a letter to the Sunday Mercury to say a complaint that its article Terror
An evening paper has been found guilty of an inaccuracy in a story that could have put a woman and her children at risk. The Press Complaints Commission upheld a complaint against the South Wales Evening Post about a story
Latest resolved complaints dealt with by the PCC during April 2002 The majority of complaints made to the Press Complaints Commission, which raise a possible breach of the Code of Practice, are resolved directly between the Commission’s staff, editors and
A local paper has been rapped for invading a man’s privacy by taking and publishing a photograph of him without his consent. The Press Complaints Commission ruled that although the photograph was taken in a cafe, individuals would still have
The Press Complaints Commission received 3,033 complaints in 2001 – 36 per cent up on the previous year, and higher than the previous record year of 1996. But it says that journalistic standards are not falling – and that more
Latest resolved complaints dealt with by the PCC during May 2002 The majority of complaints made to the Press Complaints Commission, which raise a possible breach of the Code of Practice, are resolved directly between the Commission’s staff, editors and
A diplomat is to take over as chairman of the Press Complaints Commission. Sir Christopher Meyer, the British ambassador to Washington, will take on the role vacated by Lord Wakeham who stepped aside because of his involvement in the Enron
Regional newspaper editor Ed Curran has been appointed to the Press Complaints Commission. As editor of the Belfast Telegraph he is the first editor from Northern Ireland to serve on the Commission. He takes over from retiring member Malcolm Starbrook,
A photo of a 14-year-old boy at school was taken by a weekly newspaper without permission. The move has led to a complaint to the Press Complaints Commission by the head teacher being upheld. The complaint, under Clause Six of
An evening paper has been rapped for invading a woman’s privacy by printing details of her rental payments in a letter on the letters page. The Press Complaints Commission ruled that although the letter came from a competent authority, the
More resolved complaints dealt with by the PCC during January 2002 The majority of complaints made to the Press Complaints Commission, which raise a possible breach of the Code of Practice, are resolved directly between the Commission’s staff, editors and