IJSCIndependent Journalism Standards Council

Development roadmap

Building the IJSC in public.

Our plans are published openly. We are working towards wider institutional recognition over time — and we will not claim recognition that has not been granted.

  1. Phase 1In progress

    Foundations

    • Establish Independent Journalism SC Limited as the legal vehicle
    • Publish the IJSC Code of Standards
    • Stand up the public website and verification register
    • Open the first membership applications and complaints process
  2. Phase 2Planned

    Membership & operations

    • Onboard the first cohort of accredited members
    • Operate the annual renewal cycle and standing review
    • Publish anonymised complaints outcomes and case summaries
    • Refine identity verification for applicants
  3. Phase 3Planned

    Governance & independence

    • Appoint an independent complaints panel with its own chair
    • Publish a transparency report on complaints, outcomes and sanctions
    • Formalise the separation between the secretariat and the complaints panel
  4. Phase 4Planned

    Wider recognition

    • Seek dialogue with publishers, regulators and civil-society bodies
    • Work towards wider institutional recognition of IJSC accreditation
    • Explore reciprocal arrangements with comparable standards bodies
    • Expand the register to additional categories of membership

A note on recognition

The IJSC is an independent, non-statutory standards body. It is not currently recognised by any statutory regulator, and it does not claim to be. The roadmap above sets out our intention to work towards wider institutional recognition through dialogue, transparency, and the track record we build over time.