Recognition Requirements
The requirements for recognition should be those set out the recommendations set out above numbered 1 to 24 inclusive and more fully described in Part K, Chapter 7, Section 4 of the Report.
- The Royal Charter on Self-Regulation of the Press (October 2013) sets out 29 recognition criteria derived from Leveson's recommendations 1-24 (Royal Charter, Schedule, October 2013).
- The Press Recognition Panel assessed IMPRESS against these 29 criteria and granted recognition in October 2016, confirming that IMPRESS met all requirements (PRP, accessed March 2026).
- The PRP has conducted three cyclical reviews of IMPRESS (most recently in 2025), each time confirming continued compliance with the recognition criteria (PRP Cyclical Reviews, accessed March 2026).
- IPSO has not applied for recognition, so its compliance with the criteria has not been independently assessed by the PRP (PRP Annual Report 2024-25, September 2025).
- The Press Recognition Panel reported that it assesses regulators against 29 criteria covering independence, standards, complaints and arbitration (10th Annual Report on the Recognition System, Press Recognition Panel, 24 February 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 reports that its assessment framework contains the 29 recognition criteria derived from Leveson recommendations 1 to 24.
View detailed findings
The Press Recognition Panel (PRP) became fully operational in 2014 and opened to applications in 2015, with a mandate to assess press self-regulators against 29 criteria designed to ensure independence from political and industry influence, transparent standards, fair complaints processes, and access to low-cost arbitration.
The Royal Charter sets out 29 recognition criteria derived from Leveson's recommendations 1-24. IMPRESS was assessed against these criteria and recognised in October 2016. Third cyclical review completed 2025 confirming continued compliance.
View detailed findings
Recognition requirements established and operational through the Royal Charter and PRP.