News: Press Regulation: Who reports on the reporters?

The owners of newspapers can influence the editorial stance of a newspaper. The motives and agenda of newspaper owners and editors, and how they try to influence our understanding of certain events, is important when analysing how newspapers tell stories. Newspapers will also attempt to influence how the public vote in elections, with certain newspapers openly backing specific political parties.

With this much power, it is important that newspapers stick to a code of conduct or rules set out by independent organisations. This is known as regulation.

Regulation and Press Complaints

Sometimes it is not facts that are reported but the opinions of journalists and editors. This is known as bias. This is one of the reasons why newspapers are subject to regulation. Journalists often go to extreme lengths to find their story and news organisations are regulated to protect people from press intrusion or harassment.

Here J K Rowling complains to the regulators about press behaviour outside her home.

Case study: The Leveson Inquiry

The Leveson Inquiry was a public, judge-led inquiry. It was set up by Prime Minister David Cameron to investigate the press after journalists at The News of the World were accused of illegally accessing the voicemail messages on other people's phones, without their knowledge or consent. They were also accused of bribing police officers. Some of those who had their mobile phones 'hacked' in this way were celebrities, sports people and politicians.

The News of the World was closed down by its owner, News International, when this information became public. Lord Justice Leveson stated his recommendations on how the press should be regulated. They were:

• Newspapers should continue to be self-regulated and government should have no power over what newspapers publish.
• A new press standards organisation, with a new code of conduct should be created by the press industry. Legislation should be provided to ensure this new press standards organisation would be independent and effective in dealing with public complaints.

Who regulates newspapers now?

Newspaper editors must follow the rules of the Editor's Code of Practice. 

Before the Leveson inquiry, newspapers and their editors were regulated by the Press Complaints Commission (PCC). 

After the Leveson Inquiry it was replaced by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO).

The IPSO now investigate complaints about breaches of the Editor's Code of Practice.

Who regulates online news?

Click on the logo to find out more about Impress.