BBC apology
Please feel free to watch the full apology to Primark from the BBC.
“In 2008, we broadcast an hour-long Panorama special called Primark: On the Rack.
“The programme included footage obtained in a workshop in Bangalore, India, of three boys carrying out an activity described as “testing the stitching” on Primark garments.
“Primark complained about the programme. The main issue it raised was the authenticity of this footage.
“The Editorial Standards Committee of the BBC Trust concluded that it was more likely than not that the footage of the three boys apparently working on Primark garments was not authentic. This was a serious breach of editorial standards that caused unfairness to Primark. The footage should not have been broadcast.
“The committee considered that there was a strong public interest in Panorama conducting such investigations. However, there were serious failings in the making of this edition of the programme and they are not acceptable.
“The BBC Trust would like to apologise unreservedly to Primark and to our audiences.”
You can have your say and leave comments about the findings on BBC Panorama and Primark. The original apology text is also posted on the BBC website.
Update: 27 June 2010
Broadcast has reported that the BBC will be handing back the television award it won for Primark On The Rack from the Royal Television Society (RTS).
Following the BBC Trust’s findings into Panorama, the BBC Executive was asked to consider handing back the RTS award given in 2009 for the best home current affairs programme.
RTS chief executive Simon Albury told Broadcast: “We have received a letter today telling us that the BBC executive has decided it wanted to return the award and we are looking into the appropriate arrangements.”
The BBC said in a statement: “The BBC has apologised for including a short section of film which could not be authenticated in the Panorama programme Primark – On the Rack’. We acknowledge that a serious error was made and therefore it would be inappropriate to keep the RTS award.”
To read the full article, check out Broadcastnow.co.uk
