How to complain about the press or media

Different industries can have different ways of dealing with complaints. Find out who to complain to about radio and television channels and advertising.

Complaints about newspapers or magazines

The Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) is the independent regulator for the newspaper and magazine industry in the UK. .

It considers complaints about newspapers or magazines (and their websites) which are members of IPSO.

Complain to IPSO

Complaints about adverts

The Advertising Standards Authority is the UK’s independent regulator of advertising across all media. It applies the advertising codes, which are written by the Committees of Advertising Practice.

Advertising codes

Its work includes acting on complaints and proactively checking the media to take action against misleading, harmful or offensive advertisements.

Find out how to complain to the Advertising Standards Authority at the following link:

Make a complaint

Complaints about the BBC or other television/ radio channels

The BBC has its own process set up for dealing with complaints about the radio and television programmes it broadcasts. You will usually need to complain within 12 weeks of the programme transmission or event.

The BBC website has details about its full complaints procedure and complaints code of practice.

BBC Complaints

Ofcom

Ofcom is the UK regulator for television, radio, telecommunications and wireless communications.

It deals with complaints about all broadcasters, including the BBC.

You can also use their website to find the contact details for specific broadcasters, if you would like to complain to them directly.

Ofcom

Sample complaint letters for goods and services

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