Clause 12 monitoring

There has been significant debate and discussion about the terms of Clause 12 (Discrimination) of the Editors’ Code of Practice and how IPSO applies the Code to the complaints it receives. IPSO publishes information on a quarterly basis about instances in which it has received more than ten complaints under Clause 12 about the same issue.

Clause 12 of the Editors’ Code of Practice deals with discrimination. It says the press must avoid prejudicial or pejorative reference to a person's race, colour, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or to any physical or mental illness or disability. It also states that these details should not be included in a story unless they are relevant.

In general, Clause 12 complaints can only be taken forward from the party directly affected – because the complaint might involve personal and sensitive information about a person, or we might not be able to investigate the complaint properly without their input. In certain cases, where there is a sufficient public interest, IPSO is also able to take complaints from representative groups affected by the alleged breach.

The information below gives a brief summary of the types of complaints received and the outcome. These statistics do not include any cases still under investigation or cases relating to any non-regulated publications; or cases where IPSO received fewer than 10 complaints. IPSO has not included those complaints in order to protect the confidentiality of complainants, who might otherwise be identifiable. In addition, cases where IPSO received more than ten complaints tend to raise broader issues around editorial standards.

 

2023

April to June 2023
January to March 2023

2022

October to December 2022
July to September 2022
April to June 2022
January to March 2022

2021

October to December 2021
July to September 2021
April to June 2021 
January to March 2021

2020

October to December 2020
July to September 2020
April to June 2020
January to March 2020

2019

October to December 2019
July to September 2019
April to June 2019
January to March 2019

2018

October to December 2018
July to September 2018
April to July 2018
January to March 2018