The History and the Current State of Press Regulations in theUK

Abstract

　This study outlines the changes throughout history in press regulations in

the UK while examining their current state and aims to explore the problems

surrounding them. Primary sources are closely examined to clarify the following

three points. The first point covers the tradition of self-regulation by the

press continuing throughout the second half of the 20th century, and how these

self-regulatory bodies demonstrated that they were not able to sufficiently fulfill

their regulatory objectives. To address this problem, several press regulators

were formed, including GCP, PC, and PCC, which have now been reorganized

as IPSO and IMPRESS. The second point compares IPSO and IMPRESS, covering

their similarities such as their core organizational structures, standards, and

tasks, which are mostly the same, while also covering the differences such as

methods of regulation（ IPSO is a reformed version of PCC based on purely selfregulatory

methods, while IMPRESS imposes co-regulation approved under

Royal Charter）, membership rates in the press （IPSO has many members,

while IMPRESS has few）, financial resources （IPSO is fully funded by members,

while IMPRESS relies on donations）, and the degree of autonomy and

effectiveness （IPSO is somewhat substandard, while IMPRESS maintains high

standards）. The third point covers how the press regulatory bodies should be

integrated into IPSO in consideration of the consistency in regulation, constitutional principles regarding freedom of press, and the tradition of press self-regulation,

but in order to avoid the failures of past regulatory bodies, it is crucial to

ensure its autonomy （such as by reviewing the authority of the RFC） and

effectiveness （such as by rationalising standards of investigation and financial

penalty systems）