Press regulator Impress is no instrument of the state | Letters

Rack of British newspapers on sale in central London.
The independence of the press regulator Impress has been recognised by the independent panel set up after the Leveson report. Photograph: John Stillwell/PA

Jane Martinson’s reference to the “government-recognised” Impress (Press regulation – Jarndyce and Jarndyce?, 16 October) is incorrect. Impress was formally recognised as an independent, effective regulator of news publishers by the Press Recognition Panel (PRP), a body which is itself independent of government. By careful design, and in line with the recommendations of the Leveson inquiry, no minister or other politician can have any influence over the actions of the PRP, or over the appointment of its members.

The corporate newspapers that are in terror of independent regulation desperately want us to believe that the PRP is an instrument of government, but it is demonstrably not the case.
Brian Cathcart
London

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