Using phone lines in our programmes
Audiences increasingly want to participate in our programmes. Most of the time it works very well. Connie Fisher was selected by the audience as winner of How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? And 12 million people voted for their favourites on Strictly Come Dancing, raising £1.4million for Children in Need.
But occasionally it goes wrong. We didn't always make it obvious to callers to Saturday Kitchen that some programmes were pre-recorded and we were wrongly accused of cheating the public. We accepted the language used was not clear enough and took immediate steps to ensure future programmes are live. Then Blue Peter was found to have run an unfair competition. When there was a technical failure retrieving phone line information, a child in the studio was asked to phone and give an answer on air.The child was awarded the prize. This was a serious error of judgement and we broadcast an apology. We have since undertaken a comprehensive review of the use of phone lines in our programmes.
Related Links
- BBC Press Office - BBC statement re: Saturday Kitchen
- BBC Press Office - BBC statement re: Blue Peter competition
- BBC Press Office - Telephony Report: statement from the Director-General
- ICSTIS - the premium rate service regulator
