We aim to foster a culture of excellent student journalism at UCL; a trusted press, editorially owned by students, and reporting on matters that impact students.
Our transparent Editors' Code aims to build trust, allowing editors to self-regulate their outlets against an agreed set of principles, with a clear route of escalation to the legal publisher of Student Media, Students’ Union UCL.
The Editors' Code mirrors the IPSO Code of practice. IPSO is the independent regulator for the UK print and digital news industry, upholding high editorial standards to protect the public and freedom of expression.
Implementing the Editors' Code is delivering on the outcomes set out in a policy passed in March 2025.
As well as being media organisations regulated by our Editors' Code, student media groups are student-led societies, regulated through the Club and Society regulations. Students, or student members of student media groups, wishing to complain about the conduct of the group or its committee should follow the complaints process outlined here.
Disclaimer |
| Students’ Union UCL is the legal publisher of affiliated Student Media groups at UCL and retains the right not to publish, or withdraw a publication, if the publication has, or risks breaking the law, violating the student code of conduct, violating the Code of Practice for Freedom of Speech, or bringing serious reputational harm to the organisation. |
Editors' Code Complaints Process
If a student, staff member, or member of the public wishes to complain about a published news article, video, or live broadcast from an affiliated Student Media group, they can use the Students’ Union’s complaints process to lodge their complaint following the below route:
- Complainants are asked to indicate which principle of the Editors' Code they believe has been broken.
- Complaints are made via Students’ Union UCL, to the relevant Editor.
- The Editor has 10 working days to respond to the complainant. Editors are required to correct breaches of the Code promptly and with due prominence.
- If the complainant isn’t satisfied with the Editor’s response, they may escalate their complaint to the publisher – Students’ Union UCL.
- Students’ Union UCL will investigate the complaint, including the response and action taken by the Editor, and will decide on a course of action which may include, but is not limited to, rejecting the complaint, issuing an apology, or beginning disciplinary procedures.
- Disputes, once resolved, will be published on the Editors' Code page to act as a reference for future rulings.
Knowledge base
Category
- Running Your Group