IPSO to launch by 1 May 2014

The full implementation of the Independent Press Standards Organisation is to launch by 1 May next year, Paul Vickers, chairman of the Industry Implementation Group, has confirmed.

Publishers from across the national, regional, local and periodical press met last week to sign contracts to establish the new Independent Press Standards Organisation, which is being described as an important milestone in the process of setting up the UK’s new self-regulatory system.

According to Vickers, the response has been “overwhelmingly positive”, with publishers representing more than 90% of the national press and the vast majority of the regional press, along with major magazine publishers, signing.

Speaking on The Andrew Marr Show last month, the culture secretary Maria Miller said that the royal charter, which was drafted by the three main political parties with lobby group Hacked Off and approved by the Queen last week, could allow IPSO to function.

More controversially, she said if the new independent regulator was set up properly, it could even make the new royal charter redundant.

Independent appointments procedures for IPSO are also underway and further announcements on the application and selection timetable will be made in due course by Sir Hayden Phillips.