The Press Recognition Panel (PRP) has launched a public call for information on the third cyclical review of IMPRESS’ recognition as an approved regulator.
The PRP was created following the Leveson Inquiry as part of a new system of regulatory oversight to ensure the freedom of the press whilst also protecting the interests of the public.
In October 2016, following a detailed and thorough assessment of an application for recognition from IMPRESS, the independent PRP Board determined that IMPRESS met the 29 criteria in the Royal Charter, so IMPRESS was recognised as an approved regulator.
Our Charter requires us to review approved regulators to ensure they continue to meet the Charter’s recognition criteria. A cyclical review must be carried out as soon as reasonably practicable, two years after a regulator has been recognised and every three years after that.
The first cyclical review was completed in March 2019, and the second in June 2022. It is now time to conduct IMPRESS’ third cyclical review.
In line with our guidance, we asked IMPRESS to assess itself against the recognition criteria and submit evidence to demonstrate that it continues to meet the Charter criteria. We specifically requested that IMPRESS identify areas of its arrangements that have changed since its original application for recognition.
We have published IMPRESS’ self-assessment below and invite the public and third parties to review the documents and provide feedback.
We will only consider facts and evidence related to IMPRESS’ compliance with the Royal Charter criteria, not opinions or hearsay.
IMPRESS has redacted some information from this published version of its submission. Some of this information has been made available to the PRP and will be considered by us as part of the process. We have reviewed it to ensure that the minimum amount of information is treated that way and only where there is a genuine need for confidentiality.
The call for information closes on 15 January 2025.
There are several ways to submit information to the PRP. Please include your name and contact details with your submission.
Please be aware that the information you supply will be shared with IMPRESS so it can respond to what you say and/or review and update its application if it chooses to. Please let us know if you want the information you submit anonymised.
Consultation@pressrecognitionpanel.org.uk.
Post
Susie Uppal
Chief Executive
Press Recognition Panel
Mappin House
4 Winsley Street
London W1W 8HF
Face-to-face
If you want to submit information in person or arrange a face-to-face meeting, please contact Susie Uppal, Chief Executive of the PRP, at suppal@pressrecognitionpanel.org.uk.
Once the call for information closes, IMPRESS will have the opportunity to respond to the information we receive. A summary of the responses will also be provided to the PRP Board.
The PRP executive will then prepare an initial documentary review. In addition to the information sent by the regulator and third parties during the call for information, other information acquired by the PRP may also be used. If clarification or additional evidence is required, we will ask IMPRESS to provide it.
The PRP executive will then meet with IMPRESS to verify the information acquired and validate the evidence and information.
A draft Cyclical Review Outcome Report will be produced and sent to the regulator, who will have the opportunity to comment on factual accuracy. If the regulator disagrees with the assessment, the PRP executive will include the reasons for disagreement in the Cyclical Review Outcome Report before submitting it to the PRP Board.
The PRP Board will meet in public to consider IMPRESS’ evidence, information received during the call for information, and the executive team’s Cyclical Review Outcome Report, along with any comments on it from the regulator. The PRP Board alone will decide whether or not the regulator continues to meet the criteria. We will announce a date for the meeting as soon as we can.
The documentation provided by IMPRESS:
1. 2025 PRP Cyclical Review of IMPRESS – self-assessment matrix
Annexes:
1.1 Company Structure Changes and Advisory Committee Explanation
1.4. Recusal Information Table 2024
1.5.1. Impress Register of Interest RA
1.5.2. Impress Register of Interests – HW
1.5.3. Impress Register of Interests AW
1.5.4. Impress Register of Interests CBS
1.5.5. Impress Register of Interests CK
1.5.6. Impress Register of Interests DH
1.5.7. Impress Register of Interests DL
1.5.8. Impress Register of Interests LKK
1.5.9. Impress Register of Interests PV
1.5.10. Impress Register of Interests SJ
1.5.11. Impress Register of Interests SRA
3.a.1. Appointment Panel – New Members Job Advert 2022
3.a.2. Appointment Panel – New Members Job Advert 2024
3.a.3. Appointment Panel – New Members Recruitment Timetable
4.5. Press Release New Board Members
6.1. Impress – IPRT Funding Deed of Grant
8.1. Impress Standards Code Review and Changes
8B.1. Regulatory Scheme Changes Board Paper
11.1. Impress Complaints Process
14.1. Template Complaints Policy
16.1. Impress Regulatory Scheme Agreement
18.1. Impress Initiated Investigations Process
22.1. Changes to the Impress Regulated Publishers Arbitration Scheme
Get in touch for more information and updates.
Papers and reports from our Board meetings are available online.
