By Gabriel Princewill-
The Independent Press Standards Organisation’s(Ipso) chairman has warned of the significant challenges online competition poses to editorial standards after being re-appointed to a second term in the job.
Lord Faulks(pictured) who was re-appointed as Ipso’s chairman last week presides over the media regulator’s regulation of editorial standards which seeks to provide a means of redress for editorial shortcomings in the Uk whenever they come to light.
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Editors found to have breached Ipso’s codes of conduct are held accountable by the media watchdog, following complaints about specific transgressions of journalistic ethical practices. Rectification of erroneous articles following an investigation by by Ipso, appear in the form of a bold apology to the offended party accompanied with an accurate version of the correct facts.
Over the past few years, the watchdog has handled thousands of complaints from the public about various publication, generally delivering efficient rulings based on the facts presented to them, both by aggrieved members of the public, and the defending editors of publications.
Its final verdicts have not always been impeccable, the watchdog sometimes accused of of being partial in favour of some publications in some instances, adopting a soft stance in not finding a breach of the code in situations were the defendant publication concedes fault and agrees to correct its error.
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However, most of its assessments have been mainly away from the spotlight, with not many of the complaints presented to the watchdog receiving much column inches open to further scrutiny. One recent major complaint will put its collective analytical powers under the microscope
A fortnight ago, The Independent Press Standards Organisation (Ipso) was faced with its biggest challenge after it announced that it had launched an investigation into Clarkson’s article after receiving more than 25,100 complaints. It is Ipso’s most complained-about article ever.
Following his re- appointment, Faukes spoke of a significant challenge online competition poses to editorial standards, as he pledged ”a more accessible, responsive, and transparent media watchdog.”
A former barrister specialising in Human Rights Act claims, professional and clinical negligence, personal injury, education, police claims and public law, the media watchdog’s chairman has a wealth of experience that theoretically equips him to head an organisation like Ipso.
However, his organisation faces a big challenge in addressing the highest complaint in its history, following Jeremy Clarkson’s deplorable article in which the television presenter expressed a desire to see Meghan Markle paraded in the streets naked with people shouting shame on you, and excrements thrown at her.
A fortnight ago, the Independent Press Standards Organisation (Ipso) announced that it had launched an investigation into Clarkson’s article after receiving more than 25,100 complaints. It is Ipso’s most complained-about article ever.
The press watchdog said that they were taking forward two complaints by The Fawcett Society and The Wilde Foundation. The complaints claimed that Clarkson’s article breached Clause 1 (Accuracy), Clause 3 (Harassment) and Clause 12 (Discrimination) of the Ipso code.
The watchdog did not elaborate on the details comprising the aforementioned aspects of the code, but will save that until it concludes on its findings this year, with no timeline set for its final decision.
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He said: “Independent regulation can support the public and freedom of expression by raising editorial standards and providing a means of redress for editorial shortcomings, when they happen.
“I am pleased to be re-appointed as chairman of IPSO for a further three years. The media landscape is transforming.
“The adoption of digital technologies has had a fundamental impact on journalism. Online competition is now a significant challenge to editorial standards.
“I am confident that IPSO’s new strategic approach will ensure it is flexible and relevant to address the complex challenges facing us in the years ahead by being more accessible, responsive, and transparent.”
The Chair of the Appointment Panel, Lord Triesman said:
“Edward Faulks has led IPSO over a tumultuous three years. He has guided IPSO as it has responded to the challenge of the pandemic and the changes to the media landscape we are witnessing.
“With IPSO-regulated publications now reaching more people than ever across a growing number of platforms, the responsibility of the press regulator to uphold freedom of expression and protect the public has never been more crucial. Edward is an excellent and principled leader to meet this challenge.”
Former Justice Minister Lord Edward Faulks KC has chaired the organisation since 2020 and will now begin a fresh three-year tenure in the post.
He has had a long career as a barrister specialising in claims arising from the Human Rights Act, professional and clinical negligence, personal injury, education, police claims and public law.
Lord Faulks, pictured, was appointed to the House of Lords in 2010 and served as Justice Minister in David Cameron’s government from 2013 to 2016, but now sits as an unaffiliated peer.
He said: “Independent regulation can support the public and freedom of expression by raising editorial standards and providing a means of redress for editorial shortcomings, when they happen.
“I am pleased to be re-appointed as chairman of IPSO for a further three years. The media landscape is transforming.
“The adoption of digital technologies has had a fundamental impact on journalism. Online competition is now a significant challenge to editorial standards.
“I am confident that IPSO’s new strategic approach will ensure it is flexible and relevant to address the complex challenges facing us in the years ahead by being more accessible, responsive, and transparent.”
The appointment was undertaken by the IPSO appointment panel.
Lord Triesman, who chairs the panel, said: “Edward Faulks has led IPSO over a tumultuous three years.
“He has guided IPSO as it has responded to the challenge of the pandemic and the changes to the media landscape we are witnessing.
“With IPSO-regulated publications now reaching more people than ever across a growing number of platforms, the responsibility of the press regulator to uphold freedom of expression and protect the public has never been more crucial.
“Edward is an excellent and principled leader to meet this challenge.”
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