The External IPSO Review: Terms of Reference
The External Review will report on how effectively IPSO is fulfilling its role as regulator of the UK newspaper and magazine industries. It will examine whether IPSO has been faithful to its publicly stated principles and values and consider how IPSO regulation has adapted to changes in its external environment.
Looking forward, it will consider what IPSO should do to prepare itself for a future that may look very different and what resources it may need to achieve its objectives, making recommendations where appropriate.
The review will consider the following issues:
Effectiveness:
How effectively is IPSO achieving its stated objectives and meeting the needs of those who use its services?
This may include consideration of:
The accessibility of IPSO’s functions to the public, the quality of its customer service and support to the public, particularly those who are vulnerable or need adjustments to enable them to engage with its services.
The timeliness and quality of its systems for assessing and responding to complaints, the judgements reached on investigated and non-investigated complaints, the appropriateness of the remedies required, and the effectiveness of the independent review function; and the available evidence as to the view of complainants on the relevance of IPSO’s remit and the extent to which it meets their needs.
The quality and impact of its work on editorial standards, including the effectiveness of its standards monitoring and compliance activities; its ability to identify and intervene to address standards failures, and its preparedness to conduct a standards investigation.
The quality, uptake and impact of its privacy notice and pre-publication advice services.
The quality, uptake and impact of its arbitration services.
The quality, uptake and impact of its external communications about its activities.
Independence and governance:
How and to what extent IPSO has established itself as an independent, credible, and well-managed organisation?
This may include consideration of:
Governance arrangements, including the appointments and functioning of the Appointment Panel, Board and Complaints Committee.
The operation of the funding mechanism, including how funding is agreed and received.
Relationships with stakeholders, including regulated publishers, the Regulatory Funding Company, and Government.
The breadth of IPSO’s membership and the extent to which it reflects the diversity of the UK newspaper, magazine, and digital news businesses.
The continuing impact of the post Leveson legacy including the Press Recognition Panel and Section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act.
The future:
How well has IPSO adapted to change in its strategic context and what should it do to prepare itself for the future?
This may include consideration of:
The quality and speed of IPSO’s response to the short and long term challenges posed by the Covid pandemic.
Changes to IPSO’s regulation since it was last independently reviewed by Sir Joseph Pilling, including the introduction of global digital publisher status.
Challenges IPSO is likely to face in the future and how well it is equipped to deal with them, including the increasing role of social media, as regulated by Ofcom, and changes to the financial model of the UK press.