 | | | Vanessa Sims | | Lancashire Post Editor |
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reader This week the press regulator warned the media must continue to stay accountable for its content in the face of challenges and benefits from artificial intelligence and social media. In its 2023 annual report, the Independent Press Standards Organisation (Ipso) said its attention was drawn to “the rapid pace of change” in the industry and the impact artificial intelligence has had on editors and journalists’ roles. Ipso chairman Lord Faulks KC said adopting AI was a “reasonable” approach for publishers but accountability was still key. In a statement in the report, he said: “At the core of Ipso’s approach, however, is what will remain the same: publishers continue to be accountable for their content no matter who or what has written it. “We have been glad to see the broad recognition of this principle across regulated publications. In practice, this means that human oversight is likely to play an important role for some time to come. “Over the next year, we will continue to engage in the conversation about how to reconcile the important role of editorial accountability and oversight, with the imperative to respond to this potentially revolutionary innovation.” Ipso’s annual report revealed it received and assessed 8,045 complaints and inquiries in 2023, although only 364 were found to be within its remit and warranting investigation. Of those carried forward, 120 complaints were resolved directly with the publisher while 52 were upheld and 116 not upheld. Thirty-four complaints were resolved with Ipso mediation, six resolved through a satisfactory remedy and 36 not pursued after an initial investigation. The most complained about publisher in 2023 was the Daily Mail with 1,138 complaints, although none were upheld against the paper with more than 880 rejected and 10 resolved either directly with the Mail or through mediation. The Telegraph website and Mail Online followed with 808 complaints and 731 complaints respectively. Three complaints were fully upheld against Mail Online while both publishers had one complaint partially upheld. What do you think will be the biggest issues in society associated with AI in years to come? Send me your thoughts at Vanessa.Sims@lep.co.uk Best wishes Vanessa Sims, editor Lancashire Post | 
