IPSO submits response to consultation on reporting of child homicide

IPSO submitted a response to the consultation which ran last year asking stakeholders for their views on how the media handles this sensitive issue. The government put forward four proposed measures centred on reporting the identity of victims and protecting the bereaved.  

These options included: 

• Full anonymity for victims without a waiver option 

• Automatic anonymity with a waiver option 

• Anonymity on request, or 

• Non-legislative options, including a media toolkit. 

The Editors’ Code of Practice recognises the need to balance the interests of legitimate reporting and open justice and the rights of the bereaved to privacy and the need for sensitivity.

Consequently, our submission to this consultation stressed the public interest in reporting such stories, as well as the benefits of exploring ways to improve editorial standards further and ensure families know what to expect during legal proceedings and how IPSO can support them. The IPSO response noted that non-legislative resources like media toolkits would complement IPSO’s own guidance for editors and journalists and information for the public.  

These documents support journalists navigating sensitive stories of this nature to uphold high standards under the Editors’ Code of Practice, as well as inform the public about their rights under the Code and what they can expect from responsible reporting on matters of public interest. 

The consultation also invited comments on other non-legislative measures that might promote high standards when reporting crimes. Our response highlighted the importance of improving relationships between the press and legal officers, such as court officials, judges and the police. Following the publication of the College of Policing’s 2024 report into the operational response following the death of Nicola Bulley, working with the police to support responsible and productive relationships with the press is a key priority for IPSO. 

Responses to the consultation included concern about unwelcome press interest in the wake of a homicide.  

IPSO’s privacy notice service and anti-harassment helpline can support people concerned about press intrusion.