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BBC to suspend phone competitions BBC to suspend phone competitions
(30 minutes later)
The BBC is to suspend all competitions in response to recent editorial errors, including the Blue Peter fake contest. The BBC is to suspend all competitions following an inquiry which unearthed a string of editorial breaches.
Further breaches have been found in programmes, including Comic Relief, which director general Mark Thompson called "totally unacceptable". Further malpractice has been found in programmes including Comic Relief, which director general Mark Thompson called "totally unacceptable".
Mr Thompson has outlined a "zero tolerance" approach to any future lapses in editorial judgement.Mr Thompson has outlined a "zero tolerance" approach to any future lapses in editorial judgement.
He also ordered an independent inquiry into footage which wrongly implied the Queen walked out of a portrait session.He also ordered an independent inquiry into footage which wrongly implied the Queen walked out of a portrait session.
Read about the programmes which breached standards
All phone-related competitions on BBC TV and radio will cease from 0000 BST on Thursday, while interactive and online competitions will be taken down as soon as possible.All phone-related competitions on BBC TV and radio will cease from 0000 BST on Thursday, while interactive and online competitions will be taken down as soon as possible.
The BBC Trust said it was "deeply concerned that significant failures of control and compliance within the BBC have compromised the BBC's values of accuracy and honesty".The BBC Trust said it was "deeply concerned that significant failures of control and compliance within the BBC have compromised the BBC's values of accuracy and honesty".
'No excuse''No excuse'
BBC One's Sports Relief in July 2006, Comic Relief in March 2007, Children In Need on BBC Scotland in November 2005, The Liz Kershaw Show on BBC 6 Music and CBBC programme TMi were all found to have breached editorial standards.BBC One's Sports Relief in July 2006, Comic Relief in March 2007, Children In Need on BBC Scotland in November 2005, The Liz Kershaw Show on BBC 6 Music and CBBC programme TMi were all found to have breached editorial standards.
Mr Thompson said: "It is right that we are open with the public when we have fallen short and that we demonstrate that we take this very seriously indeed," he added.Mr Thompson said: "It is right that we are open with the public when we have fallen short and that we demonstrate that we take this very seriously indeed," he added.
"There is no excuse for deception. I know the idea of deceiving the public would simply never occur to most people in the BBC."There is no excuse for deception. I know the idea of deceiving the public would simply never occur to most people in the BBC.
BBC MEASURES Independent inquiry into the Queen documentarySteps will be made to make sure it does not happen again BBC staff will be briefed on editorial standards and consequences if brokenPromotional materials must meet the same standards Some editorial leaders will be asked to stand back from their duties
"If you have a choice between deception and a programme going off air, let the programme go. It is far better to accept a production problem and make a clean breast to the public than to deceive," he added."If you have a choice between deception and a programme going off air, let the programme go. It is far better to accept a production problem and make a clean breast to the public than to deceive," he added.
The Trust, the BBC's governing body, said: "The public has a right to expect the BBC to set the standards for editorial integrity in broadcasting and expect those in charge of the Corporation to protect the reputation of their public institution."The Trust, the BBC's governing body, said: "The public has a right to expect the BBC to set the standards for editorial integrity in broadcasting and expect those in charge of the Corporation to protect the reputation of their public institution."
It added that Mr Thompson's report highlighted "further deeply disappointing evidence of insufficient understanding amongst certain staff of the standards of accuracy and honesty expected."It added that Mr Thompson's report highlighted "further deeply disappointing evidence of insufficient understanding amongst certain staff of the standards of accuracy and honesty expected."
"We have made clear that we regard any deception or breach of faith with our audiences as being utterly unacceptable.""We have made clear that we regard any deception or breach of faith with our audiences as being utterly unacceptable."
The Blue Peter team apologised after the error was discoveredIn the Blue Peter incident, the programme admitted falsifying the results of a children's phone-in competition during a live show. Other measures outlined in Mr Thompson's action plan include mandatory training for 16,500 staff.
The Blue Peter team apologised after the error was discovered
He has also called for a workshop involving other broadcasters to discuss issues surrounding editorial standards and training.
Last week media regulator Ofcom fined the BBC £50,000 after the children's programme Blue Peter falsified the results of a phone-in competition during a live show.
The BBC also had to apologise over the clips from a documentary about the Royal Family that implied the Queen had walked out of a portrait session with a photographer.The BBC also had to apologise over the clips from a documentary about the Royal Family that implied the Queen had walked out of a portrait session with a photographer.
The programme's makers, RDF Media, subsequently admitted that it was "guilty of a serious error of judgement".The programme's makers, RDF Media, subsequently admitted that it was "guilty of a serious error of judgement".
Mr Thompson told BBC staff in an e-mail last week that the corporation needed to put "its house in order" and that honesty and accuracy were paramount.Mr Thompson told BBC staff in an e-mail last week that the corporation needed to put "its house in order" and that honesty and accuracy were paramount.
The programmes which breached standards
  • Comic Relief - Friday 16 March 2007 on BBC OneA caller was heard on air answering a question to win prizes belonging to a famous couple when in fact the caller was a member of the production team.
  • TMi - 16 September 2006 on BBC Two and CBBC A member of the production team posed as a member of the audience who had won a competition which was open to the public.
  • Sport Relief - 15 July 2006 on BBC OneViewers were led to believe that a member of the public had won a competition open to the public when it was a member of the crew.
  • Children in Need - 18 November 2005 on BBC One Scotland A fictitious competition winner was announced during a segment called Raven: The Island following technical problems.
  • The Liz Kershaw Show - 2005/6 on BBC 6 MusicDuring pre-recorded programmes presented as live, listeners were led to believe genuine competitions were held when in fact there were no contests or prizes and all callers were production staff or their friends.
  • White Label - World Service until April 2006 On more than once occasion a fake winner was announced when no winning entries had been received.