Comment on Buzzfeed and Guardian articles 13 December

Articles published today in Buzzfeed and The Guardian misrepresent IPSO’s anti-harassment private advisory notice service and complaints handling.

IPSO is able to contact newspapers and magazines on behalf of a directly affected individual to make them aware of concerns that the Editors' Code may be breached via a confidential private advisory notice, for example, where the individual has concerns about privacy or harassment. We can also pass on non-Editors’ Code related requests to editors on a goodwill basis, such as a request not to use photographs. A number of broadcasters and non-member publications, as well as IPSO members participate in this service.

IPSO does not have the power to stop a newspaper or magazine from publishing stories or photographs, but can make editors aware of an individual’s concerns or requests, even where these are not covered by the Editors’ Code.

We can, and often do, deal with complaints where the directly affected individual, with their knowledge and permission, is represented by another party. We are not able to comment on individual cases for confidentiality reasons.