Apologies and press regulators

Corrections, rulings and apologies

Press regulators work through codes. A code sets the standard. A ruling says whether a publication broke it. The remedy is usually a published correction or a published ruling. An apology is sometimes named in the code, but few bodies can order one.

United Kingdom: the Editors' Code

Clause 1 of the Editors' Code of Practice, in force from 1 January 2025, says a significant inaccuracy, misleading statement or distortion must be corrected promptly and with due prominence and, where appropriate, an apology published ¹. In cases involving IPSO, due prominence should be as the regulator requires ¹.

The clause says a fair opportunity to reply to significant inaccuracies should be given when reasonably called for ¹. It says a publication must report fairly and accurately the outcome of a defamation action to which it has been a party. An agreed settlement can state otherwise ¹.

Broadcasters are under Ofcom, not the press code. Ofcom says it may impose a sanction where a broadcaster has seriously, deliberately, repeatedly or recklessly breached its rules ⁷.

Australia and New Zealand

The Australian Press Council says it may explicitly call for, but not require, apologies ². An upheld adjudication may include a reprimand or censure. The final adjudication must be published in line with Council requirements on date, page and position ². The Council has no power to order compensation, fines or other financial sanctions ².

The New Zealand Media Council says a publisher must publish a short summary of an upheld decision, unedited and without editorial comment ³. It may require removal of story elements, and online copy found in breach must carry a note saying so ³. It may direct a right of reply, correction or retraction. In egregious cases, by unanimous decision, it may censure a publication ³. The page read does not mention an apology ³.

Ireland, India and Germany

• Ireland. If any part of a complaint is upheld, the publication must publish the decision under the Press Council's Publication Guidelines. An appeal pauses this. The Ombudsman may find the publication offered or took sufficient remedial action ⁴.
• India. Under section 14 of the Press Council Act, 1978, the Council may warn, admonish or censure a newspaper, news agency, journalist or editor. A Lok Sabha answer of 11 December 2015 describes added penal powers only as proposals ⁵.
• Germany. The Pressekodex, in the version of 19 March 2025, says publications should promptly correct errors on their own initiative. Ziffer 16 says it is consistent with fair reporting to publish reprimands publicly issued by the German Press Council ⁶.

Regulator rulings and court orders

A press council ruling is not a court judgment. In England and Wales, a court that finds for a claimant in a defamation action may order the defendant to publish a summary of its judgment ⁸. The parties agree the wording, and the court settles it if they cannot ⁸.