The requirement to correct inaccurate online articles or significant inaccuracies in social media posts can raise complex issues for editors. Many publications do not have an established online “corrections page” as they might do for a print counterpart, and social media posts can often be overlooked.
We have now published information for journalists and editors which explains how they should consider displaying corrections and adjudications in digital media. It builds on guidance we produced in 2023 on where corrections, clarifications, and adjudications (long-form rulings) should be placed in printed media.
The updated guidance addresses these considerations and includes summaries of recent complaints which explain how the Complaints Committee reached their decisions. It links closely to the Editors’ Code of Practice - the guiding framework that IPSO uses to assess complaints.
Working editors and our Journalists’ Advisory Panel provided helpful insight and feedback as we developed the guidance.
Presentation of corrections and adjudications
Corrections can be displayed in a range of locations online, and the consideration of prominence is more complex than with traditional print formats.
Corrections might appear:
Social media
Social media posts which publications have editorial control over, for example, their Facebook pages, come under IPSO’s remit. This also includes podcasts and tweets. IPSO does not regulate individual journalists' social media accounts.
Where a significant inaccuracy appears in a social media post published on a feed under the control of a regulated title, IPSO will generally require any correction to be issued on that same platform. For example, a correction in respect of an Instagram Story should be posted as an Instagram Story.
The social media corrections should make clear the original inaccuracy and set out the correct position. They should generally be posted on the same accounts as the original posts and remain on the social media feeds in keeping with the publication’s standard practices for editorial content.
Headlines
Headlines by their nature are more prominent and are seen by more readers than an article’s text. If an inaccuracy is identified in a headline, the Complaints Committee may consider whether a standalone correction is required. This may be linked from the homepage of the website, and the Committee may specify the placement, e.g. on the top half of the page
A footnote correction to the article may also be required (if the article has been amended) or a note at the top of the article (if the article has not been amended).
Articles
Where a significant inaccuracy appears only in the text of an article (and not in the headline) and the whole article has since been deleted, a standalone correction will usually be required. Depending upon the circumstances, IPSO may require that this is flagged on the website homepage
In cases where the original significant inaccuracy appeared in the text of the article only and the article has since been amended, the Committee may require a footnote correction (at the end of the article) to be published.
If a significant inaccuracy is identified in the text of an article, but the publication has not amended the article, the Committee may require a correction to be positioned immediately under the headline to achieve due prominence.
To read the guidance:
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