How To Submit A Media Complaint
Step By Step Guide To Making Effective Changes
Follow the Guide Below
The media must take care not to publish or broadcast inaccurate, misleading or distorted information. If you notice a potentially problematic programme, article, headline or image, complain directly to the publication or broadcaster concerned. If your complaint is not dealt with to your satisfaction, contact the press regulator IPSO or the broadcast regulator OFCOM.
Follow the steps below to make an effective complaint.
Step 1 : Go Direct to the Media Source
If you have a complaint, contact the newspaper, magazine or broadcaster directly. Explain why you feel a breach has been made and ask for a correction. A significant inaccuracy, misleading statement or distortion once recognised must be corrected promptly, with due prominence and – where appropriate – an apology. Follow the link below to find the media source and guide on how to complain.
Step 2 : IPSO or OFCOM
If your complaint is not dealt with to your satisfaction by the newspaper, magazine or broadcaster and you still believe there has been a breach, contact the regulators, IPSO and OFCOM.
IPSO considers complaints about newspapers or magazines ( and their websites ) which are members of IPSO.
OFCOM considers complaints about something you have seen or heard on TV, radio, a website or an app.
Step 3 : Appeal
IPSO may not uphold your complaint, in which case you may wish to follow up with an appeal. If you would like further guidance with this, please email our Community Liaison Officer Amanda Morris.
Further Guidelines
IPSO consider complaints about
newspapers or magazines (and their websites)
which are members of IPSO.
Broadcast
OFCOM consider complaints about something
you have seen or heard
on television, radio, a website or an app.
Please Note: several newspapers, including the Financial Times, The Independent and The Guardian are not regulated by IPSO.