In 2016 Impress launched a consultation into its financial arrangements. The consultation was open to all news publishers and those with an interest in press regulation.

Comments were invited on Impress’ fee structure and views were sought on whether using financial turnover is a fair measure for membership fees and whether publishers would prefer a ‘polluter pays’ arrangement in which members are charged a mixture of subscriptions and complaints-handling fees. Under a polluter pays model, publishers that generate more complaints would pay higher charges.

Comments were also invited on whether Impress should develop a mixed financial model to include a blend of revenue from fees, grants, donations and other services.