IPSO’s new corporate strategy, which covers the years 2023 to 2028, explains how the regulator will deliver its core purpose of upholding the highest editorial standards to protect the public and freedom of expression.

The Chair of IPSO, Lord Edward Faulks KC, says the new strategy will benefit the public and the publishers regulated by IPSO:

“Regulation by IPSO is a mark of accountability and credibility. It demonstrates that publishers are ready to be held to account for their journalism and their content. This gives confidence to readers and helps to bolster high quality journalism. IPSO will continue its work to protect the public interest, freedom of expression, and strengthen journalism through fair and consistent regulation.” 

The strategy sets out five strategic principles that will underpin IPSO’s work:

1. Demonstrate independence from government, regulated publications, and other stakeholders
2. Build transparency to improve trust and understanding of our regulation by the public and by policymakers
3. Be responsive to the changing media landscape
4. Become an ever more inclusive organisation that is open, accessible and fair
5. Be more accessible and accountable to a diverse public.

The strategy identifies these principles as the foundation for the regulator’s work, as Charlotte Dewar, Chief Executive of IPSO, explains:

“Over the next five years, we will consolidate our position as the authoritative press regulator of the UK newspaper, magazine and digital news industry. In an increasingly complex environment, we will reinforce the relevance of IPSO regulation to the full range of journalism being produced in the UK today, and promote engagement between the public and journalists about press standards issues. Where we identify standards failures, we will act swiftly and flexibly to address them. Focusing our resources on areas where we can make the most difference will enable us to achieve this ambitious programme.

“This is an important strategy which will help IPSO protect the public interest by promoting high quality journalism and defend the public when editorial standards fall short.”

The strategy acknowledges the impact of the growing digital economy in changing publishers’ business models.

This digital transformation presents publishers with opportunities to develop new forms of journalism and reach readers through new channels and platforms, while increasing the challenges for publishers in competing with non-regulated social media content. IPSO will work with other regulators to consider where our remits overlap – for instance the regulation of social media and other digital content created by IPSO regulated publishers.

Charlotte Dewar says IPSO will build on its commitment to acting in the public interest:

“The public interest is at the heart of all that IPSO does. Independent regulation by IPSO fosters trust by promoting high standards and providing accountability.

“Over the next five years, we will leverage our expertise in how journalism is being practiced across the hugely diverse array of publishers that IPSO regulates, and the kinds of challenges that editors and journalists are facing, to support journalists and editors to live up to the high standards we set. By providing practical, relevant and timely guidance and advice, we protect both the public and, ultimately, freedom of expression.

“We also recognise that while – at its best – the press acts in the public interest, when journalistic standards fall short the public suffer. IPSO will continue to hold publishers to account to give redress to people who have been wronged.”

You can read the IPSO Corporate Strategy 2023 to 2028 here.