The Hacking Scandal: why independent press regulation is important

In 2011, the UK was rocked by a scandal that still echoes through our newsrooms. The News of the World was found to have hacked the voicemail accounts of celebrities, politicians, and ordinary people alike. Even members of the Royal Family fell victim to this breach of privacy. The practice — known as phone-hacking — involved illegally accessing private voicemails, listening to them, and sometimes recording them without consent.

What made the story truly chilling was how far it reached. Among the names whispered in the headlines were people who had never courted fame. One of the most heartbreaking revelations was that journalists had intercepted the voicemails of Milly Dowler, a teenage girl whose life was already torn apart by abduction and murder. In another striking example, firefighter Paul Dadge — who had helped rescue survivors after the 7/7 attacks — was told by police that his phone, too, had been targeted by the press.

The fallout was swift and decisive. A public inquiry, chaired by Lord Leveson, examined the culture, practices, and ethics of the British press. While many large national titles pushed back against any form of regulation, the inquiry paved the way for a new kind of oversight: an independent regulator known as IMPRESS.

IMPRESS stands apart because it is built on transparency and accountability. Its governing board excludes sitting editors, meaning that decisions are made without pressure from the industry. The regulator offers a low-cost arbitration service that helps individuals obtain compensation when they suffer from invasive or misleading coverage. By doing so, IMPRESS demonstrates a practical alternative to the self-regulation model championed by IPSO.

Since its launch, more than two hundred publications — reaching roughly sixteen to seventeen million readers each month — have joined IMPRESS. Publishers join IMPRESS because of the shared belief that journalism should serve the public interest first and foremost. Their participation sends a clear signal: ethical reporting and robust safeguards are not optional extras, but essential foundations of a healthy media ecosystem.

For us at the IMA, the lesson is unmistakable. Every day, countless people encounter intrusive, inaccurate, or outright unethical treatment by the press. We should all be supporting a regulator that puts readers’ rights at the center and protects the very communities we serve.

If you are a publisher who shares our commitment to responsible journalism, we urge you to become part of IMPRESS. Joining now not only strengthens the credibility of your own outlet but also contributes to a broader movement toward a more trustworthy, accountable media.

• Join IMPRESS here.