Complaint Handling Mechanism
The Board should require all those who subscribe to have an adequate and speedy complaint handling mechanism; it should encourage those who wish to complain to do so through that mechanism and should not receive complaints directly unless or until the internal complaints system has been engaged without the complaint being resolved in an appropriate time.
- IPSO requires subscribing publications to have internal complaint handling mechanisms. Complaints must first be raised with the publisher before IPSO will consider them (IPSO, Make a Complaint, accessed March 2026).
- IMPRESS similarly requires complainants to contact the publication first (IMPRESS, accessed March 2026).
- IPSO publishes data on complaint volumes and outcomes in its annual reports (IPSO Annual Reports, accessed March 2026).
How was this evidence gathered?
Response
Accepted in Part
Response
Accepted in PartThe Prime Minister stated on 29 November 2012 that he accepted "the principles that Lord Justice Leveson has laid out" for independent self-regulation, including "an independent board, a standards code, an arbitration service and the power to demand up-front, prominent apologies and impose million-pound fines." However, he rejected statutory underpinning, expressing "serious concerns and misgivings" about crossing "the Rubicon of writing elements of press regulation into the law of the land." The Royal Charter on Self-Regulation of the Press was granted on 30 October 2013, establishing the Press Recognition Panel as the recognition body. IPSO was established in September 2014 but has not sought Royal Charter recognition. IMPRESS was recognised by the PRP in October 2016. Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/david-cameron-statement-in-response-to-the-leveson-inquiry-report
Published Evidence
Published assessments of progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Source type badge indicates whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.
IPSO requires subscribing publishers to have internal complaint handling mechanisms. Complaints must first go through the publisher before IPSO will consider them.
View detailed findings
Internal complaint handling mechanisms are required and operational at subscribing publications.