Press Justice Project — A UK Charity UK JournoHub Recommends
The Press Justice Project is a UK registered charity (no. 1200670) that helps people affected by press abuse and educates the public on media standards. UK JournoHub highlights their work because every journalist, editor, and journalism student should understand what they do — and why it matters.
Journalists and editors who understand the real impact of press failings on individuals are better placed to make ethical decisions every day. PJP's educational programmes, events, and resources exist to help the whole media ecosystem — not just those seeking redress.
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Why UK JournoHub Features the Press Justice Project
UK JournoHub exists to help journalists do their jobs better — and part of doing the job better means understanding the consequences when it goes wrong. The Press Justice Project occupies a space that few UK organisations do: it is neither a regulator nor a legal advocacy group, but a charity focused squarely on the people who experience the real-world effects of press failings.
Journalism students learn codes of practice. Experienced reporters navigate them daily. But the human dimension of those codes — what intrusion into grief actually looks like from the inside, what it means for a family when inaccurate coverage shapes public perception of a tragedy, what discriminatory framing costs a person's livelihood — is rarely centred in professional training. PJP helps put that dimension on the table.
We feature PJP because their educational work — seminars for journalism courses, events for practitioners, and publicly available ethical guidance — complements what we cover in our ethics and law hubs. Knowing they exist, and being able to point subjects of your stories towards them when appropriate, is part of responsible practice.
What the Press Justice Project Does
The Press Justice Project (UK registered charity number 1200670) is headquartered at Bank House, Southwick Square, Brighton, BN42 4FN. Their stated mission is to help people affected by press abuse and to educate the public on media standards. Their beneficiaries are subjects of journalism who have been harmed by press intrusion, inaccuracy, or discriminatory coverage — not journalists or publishers.
Case Support
A case-reporting form for individuals who feel they have been harmed by press coverage. PJP provides a route for those affected to report their experience and access support.
Education
Seminars and lectures for journalism students and educators, helping the next generation of journalists understand the lived impact of press failings on individuals and communities.
Advocacy
Raising public awareness of media standards and the effects of press intrusion, inaccuracy, and discrimination on real people, through newsletters, events, and published resources.
Community
Community events and an ongoing newsletter that connect people affected by press issues and build public understanding of what ethical reporting looks like in practice.
Why Journalists and Editors Should Know About PJP
Understanding what PJP does maps directly onto the standards journalists are already required to uphold under the IPSO Editors' Code of Practice and Ofcom's Broadcasting Code. The clauses most directly relevant to PJP's casework include:
- ›Clause 1 — Accuracy
Inaccurate coverage is one of the primary harms PJP supports people through. Errors that misrepresent individuals — especially in high-profile or sensitive stories — can have lasting consequences for reputation, employment, and wellbeing.
- ›Clause 5 — Intrusion into Grief or Shock
PJP's work frequently involves cases where bereaved families or people in crisis have experienced unwanted press attention. Clause 5 prohibits seeking or publishing material about individuals in grief or shock except where justified in the public interest.
- ›Clause 6 — Children
Children cannot consent to press coverage and are particularly vulnerable to harm from intrusion. PJP's educational work helps journalists understand what appropriate practice looks like when children are involved in a story.
- ›Clause 12 — Discrimination
Discriminatory coverage — on grounds of age, disability, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristics — is another area of PJP casework. Clause 12 prohibits prejudicial or pejorative references to individuals on these grounds.
- ›Ofcom Broadcasting Code, Section 8 — Privacy
Broadcasters regulated by Ofcom have equivalent privacy obligations. PJP's work is not limited to print media, and their educational seminars are relevant to broadcast journalists and producers as well.
Practical scenarios where knowing about PJP matters
Crime reporting:A family of a crime victim contacts your newsroom to say coverage has caused them further distress. Knowing that PJP exists means you can acknowledge their concern and, if appropriate, let them know there is a charity that supports people in their position — without that being an admission of wrongdoing.
Inaccuracy complaints: A subject of a story tells you the coverage has damaged their career. Prompt correction is the right first step. But understanding that PJP exists reinforces why accuracy matters beyond the regulatory compliance level.
Newsroom training:PJP seminars offer an evidence-based perspective on press harm from the subject's point of view. Inviting PJP to speak to your team or course is a concrete way to make ethics training more than a code-reading exercise.
How Journalists and Editors Can Engage with PJP
Refer subjects who feel wronged
If someone who is the subject of your coverage tells you they have been harmed and feels the coverage was unjust, you can let them know PJP exists. Their case-reporting form is the right starting point.
PJP support form→Request a seminar for your newsroom or course
PJP works with journalism educators and media organisations to run seminars and lectures. If you run a newsroom training programme or a journalism course, contact PJP to discuss what they can offer.
Contact PJP→Attend PJP community events
PJP runs community events open to the public and to journalists. Attending gives you a direct perspective on how press coverage affects individuals and communities beyond the story cycle.
Upcoming events→Subscribe to PJP updates
PJP publishes a newsletter covering their work, upcoming events, and developments in media standards. Subscribing keeps you informed about what they are doing and when educational opportunities arise.
PJP homepage→Notable Areas of PJP's Work
Privacy following tragic events. Bereavement is one of the most acute contexts in which press intrusion causes harm. Families dealing with sudden death, accidents, or violence sometimes find themselves in contact with journalists before they have had time to process what has happened. PJP provides a support route for people in this position.
Discriminatory coverage. Coverage that reinforces stereotypes or singles out individuals on the basis of protected characteristics — race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and others — is among the most difficult harms to challenge through existing regulatory channels. PJP's work in this area helps affected individuals understand their options and access support.
Inaccuracies affecting livelihoods. A correction buried on page sixteen is cold comfort for someone whose professional reputation has been damaged by inaccurate reporting. PJP provides a point of contact for people navigating the aftermath of coverage they believe was false or misleading.
PJP Resources for Journalists and Educators
PJP publishes resources directly relevant to journalists and journalism educators. All of these are on their own website.
Sponsor and Delivery Partners
The following organisations are listed on the Press Justice Project's own website as supporting their work. UK JournoHub has no relationship with either organisation.
Temple Legal Protection
Listed as the sponsor of the Press Justice Project on their website.
ROR Creative
Listed as a delivery partner for the Press Justice Project on their website.
Related Guides on UK JournoHub
Visit the Press Justice Project
Everything on this page is drawn from PJP's own website. For case support, events, resources, and educational programmes, go directly to pressjusticeproject.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the Press Justice Project?
Is UK JournoHub partnered with the Press Justice Project?
Does the Press Justice Project regulate the press?
Can the Press Justice Project help me as a journalist facing a complaint?
How do I refer someone to the Press Justice Project?
Can my newsroom or journalism course host a Press Justice Project seminar?
More on ethics and press standards
Explore UK JournoHub's ethics guides, newsroom tools, and media law resources.