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BBC executive suspensions likely BBC executive suspensions likely
(20 minutes later)
Some BBC executives are likely to be suspended while reviews are held into fake phone-ins unearthed by an inquiry.Some BBC executives are likely to be suspended while reviews are held into fake phone-ins unearthed by an inquiry.
Serious editorial breaches were found in six shows - including Comic Relief - and the BBC has suspended all its TV and radio phone-related competitions.Serious editorial breaches were found in six shows - including Comic Relief - and the BBC has suspended all its TV and radio phone-related competitions.
Director general Mark Thompson has outlined a "zero tolerance" approach to future lapses in editorial judgement.Director general Mark Thompson has outlined a "zero tolerance" approach to future lapses in editorial judgement.
ITV executive chairman Michael Grade said there was an "epidemic" in broadcasting beyond just the BBC.ITV executive chairman Michael Grade said there was an "epidemic" in broadcasting beyond just the BBC.
Chairman of the BBC Trust Sir Michael Lyons gave his backing to Mr Thompson, telling BBC Radio 4's Today programme that he was "the right person to lead change".
'Deeply concerned''Deeply concerned'
"He has responded to these very serious problems with energy," he said. "We are backing the director general to do this, but suspend judgement until we have seen improvement.
"He has our support to do the job that needs to be done, and we are confident he will do it," he added.
Sir Michael warned that the Trust would be "watching very carefully" to ensure the correct sanctions were applied.
"We will come back in a year's time to make sure the BBC is a different place to the one it is today," he added.
Director general Mark Thompson said he would not resign The faked BBC phone-ins Key points: Thompson speech BBC phone-ins: Q&ADirector general Mark Thompson said he would not resign The faked BBC phone-ins Key points: Thompson speech BBC phone-ins: Q&A
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.
All phone-related competitions on BBC TV and radio ceased from midnight on Wednesday, while interactive and online competitions will be taken down as soon as possible.All phone-related competitions on BBC TV and radio ceased from midnight on Wednesday, while interactive and online competitions will be taken down as soon as possible.
Mr Thompson has also ordered an independent inquiry into footage that wrongly implied the Queen walked out of a photo session.Mr Thompson has also ordered an independent inquiry into footage that wrongly implied the Queen walked out of a photo session.
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".
Other measures outlined in Mr Thompson's action plan include mandatory training for 16,500 staff.Other measures outlined in Mr Thompson's action plan include mandatory training for 16,500 staff.
But he denied that the issue of resignation had arisen at his meeting with the BBC Trust.But he denied that the issue of resignation had arisen at his meeting with the BBC Trust.
He said: "We are all utterly determined to do everything we can to fix this problem."He said: "We are all utterly determined to do everything we can to fix this problem."
He has also called for a workshop involving other broadcasters to discuss issues surrounding editorial standards and training.He has also called for a workshop involving other broadcasters to discuss issues surrounding editorial standards and training.
NEW BBC MEASURES All competitions suspendedAll staff to be trained on safeguarding trustIndependent inquiry into the Queen documentaryCommissioning from the Queen documentary production company RDF "paused"Some editorial leaders asked to "stand back" from their dutiesContracts with staff and suppliers revised to emphasise editorial standardsPromotional materials must meet the same standards Have your say on TV phone-insNEW BBC MEASURES All competitions suspendedAll staff to be trained on safeguarding trustIndependent inquiry into the Queen documentaryCommissioning from the Queen documentary production company RDF "paused"Some editorial leaders asked to "stand back" from their dutiesContracts with staff and suppliers revised to emphasise editorial standardsPromotional materials must meet the same standards Have your say on TV phone-ins
ITV's Michael Grade, himself a former chairman of the BBC, told BBC2's Newsnight that every broadcaster in the UK was affected.ITV's Michael Grade, himself a former chairman of the BBC, told BBC2's Newsnight that every broadcaster in the UK was affected.
He said: "It's partly to do with casualisation of the industry, people on short-term contracts under tremendous strain, tremendous pressure. Competitive pressure is enormous."He said: "It's partly to do with casualisation of the industry, people on short-term contracts under tremendous strain, tremendous pressure. Competitive pressure is enormous."
Earlier on Wednesday, a report by media regulator Ofcom said there had been a "systemic failure" in the way TV channels had run premium rate phone services.Earlier on Wednesday, a report by media regulator Ofcom said there had been a "systemic failure" in the way TV channels had run premium rate phone services.
An inquiry found that broadcasters were "in denial" about their responsibilities to viewers and saw phone-ins as a way to generate revenue.An inquiry found that broadcasters were "in denial" about their responsibilities to viewers and saw phone-ins as a way to generate revenue.
Last week 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.Last week 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".