Editorial colleagues from our Cornwall news teams updated the chairman of press regulator the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) on the value of community reporting during a visit.
Chairman Lord Edward Faulks was briefed on the continued impact of local journalism by our journalists when a delegation from IPSO spent time with colleagues in Launceston as part of a tour of the South West.
Lord Faulks was joined by Head of Standards and Regulation Rosemary Douce, Head of Complaints Emily Houlston-Jones and Engagement Officer Elena Richards Coldicutt at the in-person meeting during a four-day visit to meet regional publishers, editors, reporters and student journalists.
IPSO is the largest independent regulator of the UK print and digital news industry, tasked with upholding high editorial standards to protect the public and freedom of expression.
As well as considering complaints about the newspapers, magazines and digital news sites it regulates, IPSO offers training, guidance, and confidential support for journalists, and advice and information for members of the public.
Direct feedback
An article on the IPSO website said: “Over four days, we visited newsrooms, hosted workshops, and discussed the landscape of local journalism, hearing directly from those working at the heart of their communities.
“From city-based and small-town titles to student publications, the visit gave us a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities in regional journalism in 2025.
“In Launceston, we visited the tight-knit teams at Tindle’s Cornish & Devon Post, The Voice and The Cornish Times.
“Their newsroom is at the very centre of Launceston town, visible to locals who walk by. We spoke about the value of community-led journalism, public loyalty to local news and the general public’s understanding of what the press can report on.”
Regional Editor for Tindle Newspapers Cornwall Ltd Zoë Uglow, who hosted the visit, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome the IPSO team to our offices in Launceston.
Vital role
“IPSO play such a vital role in maintaining high professional standards in journalism so it was a great opportunity for our team to hear more about their work, how it relates to us as an organisation and what support they offer, whilst being able to highlight some of the difficulties local journalists face.”
Group Editorial Director Emily Woolfe said: “We were pleased to welcome IPSO to our Cornwall newsroom, providing valuable insight into how our community journalism operates at the grassroots level while maintaining rigorous professional standards.
“The visit underscored the critical partnership between local news organisations and regulatory bodies in preserving both press freedom and public trust in an era of evolving media challenges.”
Photo caption (above): IPSO Chairman Lord Edward Faulks and Head of Complaints Emily Houlston Jones at Tindle in Launceston
