Style guides of media outlets and regulator codes
Most press outlets don't publish their style books. Some, like the Economist and the Times, publish their style guides for purchase only. Those that don't publish a guide have to respect the editorial codes of the regulators.
The Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) is the independent regulator for the press industry in the UK, and most newspapers are signed up to its Editors’ Code. The exceptions are the Guardian, the Financial Times and the Independent.
IPSO special guidance on sex and gender
Impress is a smaller regulator of about 200 local and special interest outlets.
Ofcom is the statutory broadcast and communications regulator. It has no special guidance on sex and gender but its approach to 'public offence' is informed by a loaded consultation carried out in 2021. It should be updated in 2026.
The BBC is within Ofcom's remit but has been allowed to keep its own complaints process. Only when this is exhausted can a complainant go to Ofcom. There are two main sets of guidelines: the Editorial Guidelines, which cover all BBC content, and were last updated in July 2025, and the News Style Guide
The BBC’s Editorial Values and Standards
BBC news style guide - G for gender. Scroll down
In December 2025 the BBC issued new guidance internally following the Prescott report. This guidance isn't published. However it tells all BBC journalists to make the sex of the subject in any story clear 'where it will aid audience understanding' and to use the phrase 'biological male who identifies as a woman'. As you can see above, it has not yet removed the 'preferred pronouns' guidance from the style guide. (Guidance published in December 2023 was disastrous and can no longer be found on the BBC intranet Gateway).
The BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Sky and Paramount are all partnered with the Creative Diversity Network, which has certain agreed requirements around 'diversity'. None mention sex. Find the links here to their diversity strategies under the umbrella of CDN.
A few outlets do make their style guides public access:
Financial Times Editorial Code
ITN editorial policy mission statement
Channel 4: Harm or offence, impartiality and fairness
Most outlets defend their use of affirmative language in court cases by referring to the 'language of the court'. It's not necessary: see here. However two official publications detail the recommended approach of the courts and court officials.
Equal Treatment Bench Book (Chapter 12 p192)
Crown Prosecution Service: Trans Equality Statement
'Prosecutors should address Trans victims, witnesses and defendants according to their affirmed gender and name, using that gender and related pronouns in all documentation and in the courtroom'
This has not been updated or withdrawn since 2019. However it has published updated guidance on sex by deception and 'hate crime'