Asmita Naik joins as a lay member. She is an independent consultant on international development and human rights following a career at the United Nations in Geneva in the 1990s. She serves as a magistrate and on various professional regulatory bodies. She co-authored a landmark 2002 report which put the issue of sexual exploitation by aid workers on the global agenda and has been involved in measures to strengthen oversight of the aid sector since then.

She says:

“Freedom of expression is central to democracy and human rights for all. Balancing this against high press standards is as important as ever. I look forward to contributing to IPSO’s work.”

Alastair Machray joins as an editorial member, representing local and regional newspapers. He is the former Editor of The Liverpool Echo and Editor-in-Chief of Trinity Mirror Merseyside, Cheshire and North Wales. He spent 25 years as a daily newspaper editor, making him the longest-serving daily editor in the UK. He has worked in both national and regional newsrooms, winning numerous awards, including, in 2020, an MBE for services to local journalism. He lives on The Wirral and now runs a media consulting business.

He says:

“I am passionate about a free, yet responsible, press. IPSO is, I believe, the way to ensure and sustain that. I am proud to be involved and grateful to continue to support the industry that has given me so much.”

Chairman of IPSO, Lord Faulks QC, welcomed both to the Committee, and said:

“I am delighted to welcome Asmita and Alastair to the Complaints Committee. Their wealth of experience will further strengthen the organisation and I know they will bring distinct and valuable perspectives to IPSO’s work.”

Notes to Editors

1. Asmita Naik joined the Committee in November 2020. Alastair Machray will join in March 2021.
2. IPSO’s Complaints Committee is made up of both lay and editorial members, with recent senior experience in the industry but no serving editors. There is a lay majority.