Who Complains and Why?

anyone can complain including celebrites but 96% of complaints are from ordinary members of the public. the majority of complaints are for regional newspapers rather than larger nationals. they can complain if they think any of the clauses are broken - this is often in relation to the vulnerable (children, people in hospital and those likely of discrimination)

History

replaced the Press Council in 1991 (originally set up in 1953). in the 80s some politicians lost confidence in the Press Council as thought it was ineffective. so a departmental Commmittee with David Calcutt QC to protect individual privacy and improve recourse against the press. soon after a group of national and regional editors produced the Code of Practice and the PCC which has grown in influence and respect. It is self regulated and supported by the House of Commons culture

Funding?

through Press Standards Board of Finance - so it is not paid for by the government or the public. the press also gives a proportional amount of money according to circulation figures

What does the code of practice cover

sixteen points covering accuracy, privacy, news gathering and protecting the vulnerable.  covers all text and photos that are published. most of these factors can be trumped by the publics right to know -but it msut be justified. but they still accept that newspapers ahve the freedom to choose there style - and the public choose to read this style

How does the System Work

the PCC acts when they recieve a complaint after a publication (unlike the BBFC who check over everything pre-publication). it is a vollentary mutual agreement between the newspaper and magazine industry and the PCC/public. it is not run by the government to keep information open. to keep the PCC independent none of the 17 editors work in the industry - but are knowledged about newspaper and magazine publication

What Does the PCC Do?

the Press complaitns commission are in charge of regulating the press and actinf as a mediator between editor and complainants. it works on  a 16 rules of guidance and imposes sacntions on the party in the wrong - such as publishing a correction or policy

The PCC Code of Practice

16 points of the Code

• accuracy
• Oppourtunity to Reply
• Privacy*
• Harassment*
• Intrusion into Grief or Shock
• Children*
• Children in Sex Cases*
• Hospitals*
• Reporting of Crime*
• Clandestine Device and Subterfuge*
• Victims of sexual Assault
• Disscrimination
• Financial Journalism
• Confidential Source
• Witness payment in Criminal Stats
• Payment to Criminals*