One complaint to press watchdog every 17 minutes, report reveals
IPSO names most complained about titles
The press standards watchdog received one complaint about a news outlet every 17 minutes during 2025, its annual report has revealed.
The Independent Press Standards Organisation says it received 6,534 complaints last year - equivalent to one every 17 minutes - of which 555 led to investigations.
Its annual report said 68pc of the complaints it investigated led to "favourable outcomes" for the complainants, whether through a mediated settlement or an upheld ruling.
However a large proportion of the complaints - 5,729 - were judged not to be within the watchdog's remit.
Most complained about title within the non-national media was pro-independence Scottish daily The National, which was the subject of 228 complaints although only two were fully or partially upheld.
Birmingham Live was the subject of 51 complaints, of which one was partially upheld, while there were 53 complaints against the Manchester Evening News, with none upheld.
More than three quarters of the complaints were on the grounds of accuracy, covered by Clause 1 of the Editor's Code, while 21pc concerned intrusion into grief or shock and 19pc concerned privacy.
Where there had been possible breaches of the code, the average number of days taken to process complaints was 81.
The report includes an interview with Lord Edward Faulks reflecting on his leading IPSO. He was succeeded as Chair by Jenny Watson, pictured, in April.
Said Jenny: "The Annual Report allows us to reflect on the progress made in 2025 to protect both the public and press freedom.
"I would like to pay tribute to Edward for his leadership and to the team whose work has positioned IPSO strongly for the future."
Chief executive Charlotte Dewar added: "IPSO’s Annual Report 2025 provides a deep dive into our activities for the year.
"As well as saying farewell to Lord Faulks and welcoming Jenny Watson, the report gives a breakdown of the work we have done to protect the public, uphold press standards and safeguard press freedom.”
