January 22, 2018

IPSO says that supporting the public and upholding high standards of journalism is integral to its work. This new series of information sheets is designed to help people understand the rules that newspapers and magazines regulated by IPSO must follow so they may be more confident in engaging with the press. The information also explains how IPSO can help when needed.

IPSO says that the first three topics were chosen because they address issues about which IPSO receives the most contact from the public.

• Court reporting: What to expect: is for people who may be involved in court proceedings, including witnesses, people accused of a crime or the family of someone accused of a crime. It explains the importance of open justice and gives information about what to expect when the press is interested in reporting court cases, and how IPSO can help with any concerns;
• Press reporting on a death: is for people who have suffered a recent loss of someone close to them. It explains what to expect when newspapers and magazines report a death or an inquest, as well as about how IPSO can help.
• Journalism and the use of information from social media: is for anyone concerned about how a newspaper or magazine can use information taken from social media, and gives advice about the rules that newspapers and magazines must follow as well as the support IPSO can offer.

The new information was developed with IPSO’s Reader’s Advisory Panel, which advises the organisation on its work and wider issues from the perspective of readers and citizens. IPSO has also published guidance for journalists on reporting deaths sensitively and on the use of information taken from social media. To read IPSO’s press release in full and for links to the information sheets, click here.