Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the neutrality of the Independent Press Standards Organisation; and whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing new neutrality criteria for that regulator.

Since the report of the Leveson Inquiry was published in 2012, we have seen a fundamental reform of the self-regulatory landscape for the press, including the establishment of two new regulators, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) and The Independent Monitor for the Press (IMPRESS). The majority of traditional publishers - including 95% of national newspapers by circulation - are members of IPSO. A small number of publishers have joined IMPRESS.

IPSO has established strong regulatory standards and codes for its members, and offers individuals a means of redress where these standards are not met.

The Government is committed to protecting the freedom of the press and recognises that a vibrant and free press plays an invaluable role in our cultural and democratic life.