Start-up news website is now regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation
West Midlands News is now an IPSO-regulated media outlet, it was confirmed today.
The start-up news website became an Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) member this month as it continues its “David v Goliath” quest to reimagine regional news journalism.
West Midlands News, whose strapline is ‘countering clickbait and negativity with trusted news, views and interviews,’ said joining the UK’s biggest editorial content regulator was a logical step.
‘David v Goliath scenario’
Simon Evans, editor of West Midlands News, said: “IPSO’s Editors’ Code of Practice sets out the standards of quality, trusted journalism we strive to achieve in the daily content we publish.
“With negativity and clickbait so often dominating the online news space, we aim to offer a trusted alternative that accurately informs and, where possible, uplifts our readers. It’s a David v Goliath scenario, and we’re the little guy.”
‘Dedicated to strengthening editorial standards across the UK’
Rosemary Douce, head of standards and regulation at IPSO, said: “We are delighted to welcome West Midlands News into regulation by IPSO. By choosing independent regulation, they have made a clear commitment to readers to be accurate, accountable and uphold the highest journalistic standards.
“IPSO’s role is to support publishers to deliver credible, trusted journalism and provide the public with robust protections. We look forward to working closely with the team at West Midlands News as they join a community of publishers dedicated to strengthening editorial standards across the UK.”
‘Committed to meeting the high standards of accuracy, quality and accountability’
West Midlands News, which launched in April 2025, is owned by the Birmingham-based One Thousand Trades Group (OTTG).
Professor Paul Cadman, CEO of the OTTG and co-founder of West Midlands News, said: “Membership of IPSO demonstrates our ongoing commitment to meeting the high standards of accuracy, quality, accountability and fairness laid out in the Editors’ Code.”
IPSO regulates more than 2,600 UK print and online news titles, which equate to about 95% of the nation’s newspapers, magazines and digital news platforms.
