The Press Complaints Commission

What does the PCC do?

• independent body which deals with complaints about editorial content of newspapers and magazines in the UK and their websites.
• follows a sixteen clause "Code of Practice" which act as the "rules" for editors and journalists.
• investigates complaints from people who believe the Code has been broken.
• the PCC acts as a mediator to help the editor and complainant agree on a way to resolve the dispute.
• the Commission can also issue a formal judgement (adjudication) on the complaint.

How is the PCC funded?

• funded through a body called the Press Standards Board of Finance which collect money from newspapers and magazines in the UK.
• each newspaper and magazine contribute an amount in proportion to the number of people who buy it and read it.
• members of the public do not have to pay for the service directly or indirectly (through takers)
• the PCC doesn't receive any money from the Government.

What is the history of the PCC?

• set up in 1991 and replaced the Press Council.
• during the 1980s, some publications failed to observe the basic ethics of journalism ad this led many MPs to lose confidence in the Press Council as they thought it was weak and ineffective.
• some politicians believed it would be better to have a new regulatory authority that would come under government control and have the power to enforce legal punishments on the press.
• the PCC was set up as a "last saloon" type scenario and it has continued to grow in respect and influence.

Who complains to the PCC and what do they complain about?

• the PCC accepts complaints from anyone who believes an article involving them breaches the Code in some way.
• in 2007, 95.8% of complaints were from ordinary members of the public. (1.5% came from people in the public eye)
• the Code provides special protection to particularly vulnerable groups of people such as children, hospital patients and those at risk of discrimination.
• majority of complaints are about regional newspapers.

Why is the PCC important?

• the press should not be subject to stringent controls by law or by government.
• the PCC, being an independent, voluntary organisation, protects againt this possibility simply by its existence.
• being free doesn't mean the press should not be accountable, there has to be a balance.
• the PCC is committed to protecting the public by ensuring that when the rules are broken it can put things right as soon as possible.
• it is FAST, FREE and FAIR.