The Board of the Press Recognition Panel (PRP) has completed its third Cyclical Review of Impress, the UK’s only Approved Regulator. Impress is required to demonstrate every three years that it continues to meet the criteria for independent press self-regulation, as established by Parliament in the Royal Charter on Self-Regulation of the Press and following the recommendations of the Leveson Inquiry.
Being recognised as an Approved Regulator and undergoing this cyclical review process assures both the public and news publishers that any complaints regarding breaches of the Impress Standards Code will be handled independently, fairly, and transparently. This commitment distinguishes Impress’s member news publishers from those who have not joined an Approved Regulator.
Impress has successfully demonstrated to the PRP Board that it remains committed to maintaining high editorial standards, protecting its members’ freedom of expression, enabling investigative journalism in the public interest, and upholding robust protections for the public.
The review assessed compliance with 29 Charter criteria, which encompass independence, impartiality, financial sustainability, standards, transparency, and the effectiveness of complaints handling. The assessment process involved a thorough analysis of evidence submitted by Impress, information from the public domain, a review of sample case handling, and responses to a public Call for Information.
The evidence considered by the PRP Board, along with the full decision report, can be accessed here: 2025 Cyclical Review of IMPRESS – PRP Board Decision Report Final
We encourage news publishers who are not currently part of the Recognition System to join Impress, work towards reforming the Independent Press Standards Organisation (which currently does not meet the 29 Criteria) to become an Approved Regulator, or come together to form a new body that could seek recognition.
The next cyclical review of Impress is scheduled to begin in November 2028. In the meantime, the PRP will continue to monitor Impress’s performance and any changes to its regulatory scheme.
