Newspapers and magazines

Doug Wills - Managing Editor, Evening Standard


The Evening Standard is a firm supporter of all the things that the Press Complaints Commission stands for as an independent arbiter ensuring that newspapers are fair and accurate. We do, of course, set out with the intention that all our articles meet these basic criteria expected of all journalists. We may, though, slip from the high pedestal of good judgement for any number of reasons, from the pressure of time to inaccurate information supplied to us. It is also possible that we fail to meet the levels of good taste that a reader may expect of us. It is when the Evening Standard, or indeed any newspaper, disagrees with its readers that there must be an adjudicator who is respected by both parties. The Press Complaints Commission is asked to pronounce with the wisdom of Solomon on such occasions: in our experience it nearly always achieves this. Even if we disagree with its judgement, we abide by it. This is the only way that the Commission can act with authority. It is to the credit of the Commission that readers who complain have shown similar respect in accepting its verdict.

It is crucial that the PCC maintains a healthy distance from the newspaper industry. Our primary aim is, after all, to obtain redress for individuals who have been wronged by the press. However, in order that we can achieve that end, it is necessary for the Commission to have a good working relationship with editors, managing editors and their representatives. This element of co-operation - based on mutual trust between the PCC, complainants and journalists - is absolutely central to the success of the system of regulation overseen by the Commission and explains why we are able to settle amicably the vast majority of complaints that we judge to have merit (544 in 2010).

The notion that editors can trust the PCC to be impartial and consistent is borne out by the frequency with which the Commission's staff are contacted by representatives of newspapers and magazines for pre-publication advice. We will not tell an editor that they can or cannot publish a story, but we will give as much guidance as possible about whether material is likely to raise issues of concern under the Code - and we will point to past cases that can guide their decision-making.

‒ Press Complaints Commission