IPSO publishes guidance on user comments

The guidance sets out some of the key considerations for regulated titles which publish reader comments and other user-generated content.

The guidance is relevant to a range of user-generated content, created by users of digital platforms and includes website comments, conversations online between readers, as well as images and video.

This type of content, although not created by the publisher directly, still falls under IPSO’s remit when the publisher has reviewed it and it remains online after the publisher had the opportunity to moderate it.

Head of Standards and Regulation Rosemary Douce said:

“User-generated content can be a helpful way for publishers to drive engagement to their content. It is, however, still within IPSO’s remit and therefore the responsibility of the publisher to ensure it complies with the Editors’ Code.

“This new guidance will give publishers the confidence to make the most of the opportunities user-generated content presents, while maintaining the standards required by IPSO regulation.”

The guidance explores a range of considerations, from internal policies and moderation systems to social media responses and the relevance of awareness of complaints about such content.

To read the new guidance, and gain further insight into how user-generated content can be handled in accordance with the Editors’ Code of Practice, click here.