Apology Placement Power
The power to direct the nature, extent and placement of apologies should lie with the Board.
- IPSO states that it has the power to direct the nature, extent, and placement of corrections and apologies (IPSO, accessed March 2026).
- IPSO's published rulings indicate that this power has been exercised in some upheld cases, requiring corrections of specified wording and prominence.
- There is limited published evidence on the frequency and consistency with which IPSO directs specific apology placements, as distinct from corrections.
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 can direct the nature, extent and placement of corrections and apologies. However this power has rarely been exercised.
View detailed findings
Power exists but is rarely used, raising questions about effective enforcement.