Public trust in the media has taken a hit in recent years. From sensationalist headlines to misleading claims circulating online, many readers find it difficult to know which news sources they can rely on.
But trustworthy journalism still exists – and one of the most important tools for ensuring its quality is press regulation.
Press regulation helps uphold accuracy, transparency, and accountability in journalism. It reassures the public that a news outlet is committed to ethical reporting and offers a route for redress when things go wrong.
At Progress Publishing, which produces the Bedford Independent and The Bedford Clanger, we believe that press regulation is vital to maintaining public confidence in our work.
What is press regulation?
Press regulation is a voluntary system where news publishers agree to follow a set of professional standards, overseen by an independent body.
This is not the same as government control of the press. Instead, it’s about upholding high standards while protecting the freedom of the press in a democratic society.
Regulated publishers commit to handling complaints fairly, correcting mistakes transparently, and maintaining editorial independence. The system exists to protect both the public and responsible journalists.
Read: Fake news vs real news: How to identify trustworthy journalism
The role of press regulators in the UK
There are two main press regulators in the UK:
Impress
Impress is an independent press regulator established in response to the findings of the Leveson Inquiry, which investigated press misconduct following the phone hacking scandal.
It enforces a strict Standards Code and offers a robust, transparent complaints process. Impress is often chosen by smaller, digital-first, and community-focused publishers committed to ethical journalism.
It promotes fairness and accountability while protecting the public’s right to freedom of expression. As a publisher regulated by Impress, Progress Publishing follows this code in full, ensuring our journalism meets the highest ethical standards.
IPSO
IPSO (Independent Press Standards Organisation) is funded by the newspaper industry and regulates many national and regional print and online titles. It uses the Editors’ Code of Practice and is the successor to the Press Complaints Commission (PCC).
Critics argue it lacks independence, but it remains the regulator of choice for many large legacy publishers.
Both regulators exist to raise standards, but they differ in governance, scope, and perception. Importantly, regulation is voluntary – publishers choose to be regulated.
The value of a public complaints and corrections process
One of the most visible benefits of regulation is a clear and accessible complaints procedure. Readers have the right to question a story’s accuracy or fairness, and regulated publishers must take those concerns seriously.
A responsible publisher:
- Encourages reader feedback.
- Publicly corrects errors when needed.
- Responds promptly and fairly to complaints.
At Progress Publishing, we are proud to have never had a complaint upheld against us. Our editors are always open to discussing concerns and, where appropriate, making timely corrections.
Because that’s what responsible newspapers (and genuine people) do, and this open approach helps maintain our readers’ trust.
You can find our full corrections and complaints policy online at bedfordindependent.co.uk/corrections-and-complaints. Our editors are always open to discussing concerns and, where appropriate, making timely corrections.
This open approach helps maintain our readers’ trust.
Why responsible media outlets choose to be regulated
The Bedford Independent has been regulated by IMPRESS since 5 November 2018, the date we launched. We wanted to be regulated from the very beginning to demonstrate our commitment to responsible journalism.
We believe in being open with our readers, and that includes being accountable when we get things wrong. Regulation ensures we’re not above being challenged or held to account, and we welcome that responsibility.
It signals to readers that the outlet holds itself to a higher standard.
Benefits of regulation include:
- Clear accountability.
- Fair protection for journalists and the public.
- Access to low-cost arbitration if a dispute arises.
- Confidence that news is based on ethical principles – not just audience clicks.
Being regulated is also a mark of integrity in a digital world where anyone can publish content, but not everyone is willing to be held to account.
Why non-regulated news is less trustworthy
Not all news sources are regulated. This doesn’t automatically mean they’re untrustworthy, but without independent oversight, there are fewer guarantees of accuracy, fairness, or accountability.
Non-regulated outlets:
- Are not required to issue corrections.
- May not have a clear complaints process.
- Are not bound by a standards code.
- Are not subject to independent review.
This makes it harder for readers to know whether they can rely on what they’re reading, or where to turn if something goes wrong. Press regulation helps the public separate credible journalism from unchecked content or disinformation.
Case in point: When there’s no one to complain to
A clear example of the dangers of non-regulated publishing is Breitbart News, a US-based outlet with a UK presence that has no UK press regulation.
In 2017, it published a misleading story claiming that a “mob” of migrants had attacked police in Germany on New Year’s Eve – a claim that was later proven false.
Without a regulator, readers had no formal path to challenge the misinformation, and no requirement existed for Breitbart to correct the record.
The promise of regulated press
If you have questions about how Progress Publishing reports the news or want to understand our editorial standards, we’re always happy to explain. Transparency isn’t just a policy, it’s our promise.
In a time when misinformation is widespread and public trust is fragile, responsible publishers must be transparent, open to scrutiny, and committed to the highest standards.
At Progress Publishing, we are proud to be regulated by IMPRESS.
Our commitment to ethical journalism, supported by a clear corrections process and robust standards, is at the heart of everything we do and is underpinned by our ethics and editorial policy.
Because trustworthy journalism isn’t just about what we report – it’s about how we do it.
This article is part of a series of articles to help support media literacy.
