A new public opinion poll by YouGov, commissioned by the Press Recognition Panel (“PRP”) shows that 54% of the public believe that the press should be regulated by a fully independent body.  22% support regulation by a government backed body body with only 3% saying it should be carried out by a group run by the news industry.

Only 4% of respondents say that an industry led body should be the final stage for complaints against the press, with 45% favouring an independent body, separate from government and the news industry. and 31% favouring a body established in law.

The research, conducted in the wake of ITV phone hacking drama The Hack explores whether unethical press practices persist in today’s media landscape. It reveals that the public believes instances of press intrusion, publishing false or misleading information, or failing to represent individuals and groups fairly have become more common. The events in the series led to the Leveson Inquiry and subsequent industry-led steps to curb wrongdoing.

Other findings of the poll include:

  • 80% of respondents believe journalists often invade people’s privacy.
  • 74% of the respondents say the press often publishes false or misleading information.

Despite the measures put in place by the industry following the Leveson Inquiry, a majority of respondents believe that problematic press practices are becoming more common or there has been no change in particular:

  • 63% believe it is more common for the press to publish false or misleading information with 24% believing there has been no change;
  • 60% believe it is more common for the press to fail to represent people and groups fairly, with 25% believing there has been no change.
  • 49% believe it is more common for the press to fail to correct mistakes, with 33% believing there has been no change.
  • 45% believe it is more common for journalists to invade privacy with 31% believing there has been no change
  • 42% believe unethical newsgathering techniques are more common, with 26% believing there has been no change.

The full YouGov report can be found here [pdf].

Kathryn Cearns OBE, Chair of the Press Recognition Panel, said:

“This research shows a clear public demand for press regulation that is independent, effective, and accountable, and overwhelming opposition to industry-run models such as IPSO acting as the regulator and final arbitrator of complaints.

“The issues raised in ITV’s The Hack are not confined to the past. Despite the Leveson Inquiry and subsequent industry-led changes, most people think press intrusion and the publication of misleading information are actually increasing and that ordinary people would struggle to get redress when things go wrong. A large majority view the current system as biased in favour of the rich and powerful and that politicians and the press do deals with each other in return for favourable coverage.”

“The public want change. The framework for genuinely independent regulation already exists, but successive governments have reneged on pledges to properly back it, with most of the press choosing not to participate as a result. That leaves the industry operating without proper accountability and the public unprotected. For the sake of the victims of press harm, and to prevent further erosion of public trust in the press at a time when people are turning to an array of unregulated sources for news, we can’t allow this drift to continue.”

The PRP is calling on news publishers to join a recognised independent regulator, work towards reforming IPSO so that it can meet the Royal Charter criteria, or come together to form a new body that could seek recognition. It is also urging the Government to play its part by encouraging news publishers to make this change and by exploring further measures to promote accountability and protect the public from press harm.

The PRP is also inviting people and organisations to share their views through its ongoing Call for Information on press regulation in the UK. The responses will inform its next Annual Report on the Recognition System and help identify practical steps to strengthen accountability and public confidence at a time when concern about press standards is high.