The Press Complaints Commission has answered critics of its approach to the payment of criminals by newspapers, by publishing a paper to explain its policy on the topic. It follows a number of recent high-profile cases where newspapers paid criminals
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Record number of complaints to PCC
The Press Complaints Commission has received a record number of complaints so far this year. By the end of July, the PCC had dealt with over 2,300 complaints – higher than the number received in the whole of 2000, and
New chairman shares his ideas for the future
The Press Complaints Commission’s new chairman has spoken of his commitment to the self-regulation of the press and of his ideas of how best to build on the commission’s work. During a speech at the Newspaper Society’s Annual General Meeting,
Scottish press to have "key role" in evolution of PCC
The Press Complaints Commission’s chairman has spoken of the important role Scottish newspapers play in the system of self-regulation and how they will have a “key role” in the evolution of the PCC. During a meeting of the Scottish Newspaper
How well-known is the PCC – and how effective is it?
The Press Complaints Commission has carried out two surveys which examine the work and accessibility of the watchdog. In a poll conducted by MORI, a representative sample of 2,058 adults were questioned to find out how aware the public is
"Clear case for self-regulation"
The Press Complaints Commission today set out the clear case for press self regulation, alongside evidence of how the PCC and the editors’ Code of Practice work in the interests of ordinary people. Two crucial documents – the collected evidence
Press watchdog backs paper that labelled PR man a 'spin doctor'
A council press officer who objected to his local paper labelling him a “spin doctor” has had his complaint thrown out by the press watchdog. The Bridlington Free Press was told by the Press Complaints Commission that Simon Taylor, who
Commission finds "no grounds" for accuracy and privacy complaint
The Press Complaints Commission found “no grounds” to continue an investigation into a complaint made about the Skegness Standard. The paper published an article about a planning row at the Little China Takeaway. The article Big Trouble at Little China
Paper rapped for interviewing child without consent
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
PCC upholds child witness complaint
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
Paper rapped for inaccurate axeman story
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
Photo complaint upheld by PCC
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
"Ordinary people" make 90 per cent of PCC complaints
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
Readers' letters warning from PCC
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
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Page 2 of 2 The couple also complained that the articles contained distorted and prejudicial material in breach of the clauses on accuracy and discrimination. They also claimed to have been harassed by reporters from the papers. The PCC said:
Writing "safe" stories on Islam
The Press Complaints Commission has praised the standard of most newspaper reporting about issues covering Islam, after the September 11 terrorist attacks in America. But it has issued a reminder to editors after receiving several complaints from Muslims and other