IPSO publishes its Annual Report 2023

IPSO has published its Annual Report 2023. An overview of major IPSO news developments during 2023, the report includes a breakdown of complaints received. It also details notable complaints case studies including a piece about faulty share price data in The Times, added IPSO.

IPSO says its Annual Report 2023 details how it continues its work to raise editorial standards, resolve complex complaints, and protect the public and freedom of expression through its day-to-day work. It features new editorial standards guidance and information on reporting on sex and gender identity, reporting on suicide, sexual offences, and deaths and inquests; as well as the new IPSO complaints database; the second biennial publisher consultation; accuracy in reporting; and the handling of complex complaints.

IPSO’s Chief Executive, Charlotte Dewar said: “This Review of 2023 highlights the extent to which our role of upholding editorial standards is a collective effort that draws on the work, ideas and insights of a huge array of people inside and outside IPSO. Individual complainants who spot something that concerns them and contact our complaints teams; people working in public services and government who refer people to our services; commentators and critics; our own staff, officeholders and advisory panels; and many more – all help us to navigate our important, difficult, and often nuanced role. I am grateful to all of those who contributed to our work in 2023, in whatever form.”

Following Sir Bill Jeffrey’s external independent review of IPSO, the report contains more information about complainants’ feedback. There were 8,045 complaints in 2023. Each one was assessed, and those that raised a possible breach of the Editors’ Code of Practice (the framework which IPSO uses to regulate the press) were taken forward.

In 2023, 364 complaints were investigated, as Emily Houlston-Jones, joint head of complaints and pre-publication services, explains: “When we receive a complaint, and if it represents a possible breach of the Editors’ Code, we work with the complainant and publisher to try to resolve the dispute. In 2023, 160 complaints were settled in this way. The independent complaints committee discusses dozens of other complaints. The outcome of this work is published every week on our website.

“Many other complaints are not pursued by the complainant or do not fall within remit because there is no possible breach of the Editors’ Code.”

The annual report highlights several notable complaints from the year including the quest by an experienced private investor who believed data presented in The Times on share price yields were incorrect, added IPSO.

IPSO says, for a number of years, Ken Hodgson was concerned about dividend yield data published by the paper which he used to make investment decisions. He had complained to The Times and the large financial information company which had supplied the figures but without result. He complained to IPSO under Clause 1 (Accuracy) of the Editors’ Code. The Committee upheld the complaint and instructed The Times to publish an adjudication setting out the Committee’s findings in the newspaper and on its website.

Engagement with regulated publishers and the public is a key part in delivering the work of the Standards and Regulation team. They carried out two important consultations in 2023: the second biennial publisher consultation which gave valuable insight into areas where IPSO can develop its work with journalists and editors, policymakers, and other stakeholders to improve standards and accountability.

Practical non-binding guidance on the reporting of sex and gender identity was published in 2023, following a detailed public consultation into the complex and sensitive issues involved. The resulting guidance aims to support rather than dictate editorial decision-making.

The report quotes Rosemary Douce, head of standards and regulation, reflecting on the consultation which involved LGBT+ communities, journalists, academics, civil servants and many others:

“This process revealed the wide range of opinions held and challenges faced when reporting on these topics. Our approach was adopted to take account of widely held views and to hear from people with varying perspectives, to make the guidance as inclusive as possible.”

The full list of Board and Complaints Committee members are also included, as well as a directory of IPSO’s regulated publishers and titles in 2023.

The IPSO Annual Report is available to read or download on the IPSO website and printed copies are available on request.