The majority of traditional publishers, including 95 per cent of national newspapers by circulation, are members of the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), the independent regulator for most of the newspaper and magazine industry in the UK. IPSO has made continued improvements over the years by incorporating steps recommended by the Leveson Inquiry. This was confirmed in Sir Joseph Pilling’s 2016 review, which found IPSO had made important achievements in demonstrating it was an independent and effective regulator.
In the years since the Leveson Inquiry, many publishers have introduced comprehensive guidance on topics including accuracy and harassment. Where participating publishers fall short of their legal standards, IPSO offers support to victims of libel, slander or malicious falsehood in the form of low-cost arbitration, which offers quick access to fair and independent redress. IPSO can also take action against publishers that do not comply with the Editors’ Code of Practice, as it has done on many occasions. In light of this, I believe a free and sustainable press can exist without resorting to a statutory regulator put in place by the government of the day.
In addition, the previous Government announced in 2018 that it would not bring forward Part 2 of the Leveson Inquiry. While I imagine some may have been disappointed with this decision, I understand that the original Inquiry and subsequent police investigations were comprehensive, with more than 300 people coming forward to give evidence resulting in the conviction of over 40 people during three major investigations. In addition, the media landscape has changed significantly since Part 1 of the Inquiry. Reopening the Inquiry would cost millions, and I firmly believe that it is no longer appropriate, proportionate, or in the public interest to do so. There have been extensive reforms to police practices, as well as significant changes to press self-regulation.
The current Government has also confirmed that Part 2 of Leveson is not among its priorities.
