Door-stepping
Door-stepping is when we confront and record, or attempt to record, an interview with someone for broadcast, or announce that a phone call is being recorded for broadcast, when that person is not expecting to be interviewed because we have not made an arrangement with them to do so.
Door-stepping can be in person or on the phone. It can take place on public or private property. It can be for news and factual programmes as well as comedy and entertainment.
The BBC has rules about door-stepping that all content producers must follow. This is because door-stepping should normally be a last resort. However, the rules are not intended to prevent the legitimate gathering of material either for the daily news agenda or for research purposes.