Recognition Body Role
The responsibility for recognition and certification of a regulator shall rest with a recognition body. In its capacity as the recognition body, it will not be involved in regulation of any subscriber.
- The PRP assesses applications for recognition against the Royal Charter criteria but does not itself regulate any publication or subscriber (PRP, accessed March 2026).
- The PRP recognised IMPRESS as an approved regulator in October 2016 following a full assessment against the recognition criteria (PRP, accessed March 2026).
- The PRP publishes its assessment reports, ensuring transparency in the recognition process (PRP Cyclical Reviews, accessed March 2026).
How was this evidence gathered?
Response
Accepted in Part
Response
Accepted in PartThe government established a Royal Charter on Self-Regulation of the Press (granted 30 October 2013) and passed the Crime and Courts Act 2013 as its legislative response. This was an alternative to the statutory framework Leveson recommended. The Press Recognition Panel was created under the Royal Charter as the recognition body. The Prime Minister stated on 29 November 2012 that he accepted the principles but had "serious concerns and misgivings" about statutory underpinning. 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.
The Press Recognition Panel was established under the Royal Charter and is operational. It recognises and certifies press regulators without being involved in regulation of any subscriber. The PRP published its Annual Report in February 2025.
View detailed findings
The PRP exists and functions as the recognition body, as recommended.