Ofcom steps in to probe phone-ins

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Media regulator Ofcom has launched an inquiry into premium-rate phone lines on TV programmes following allegations some shows have misled callers.

Ofcom chief executive Ed Richards said there was "widespread concern" which had "raised serious questions of trust between broadcasters and viewers".

Premium rate services regulator Icstis is already investigating several shows including Channel 4's Richard and Judy.

The Ofcom inquiry will propose recommendations to restore confidence.

The inquiry will be led by Richard Ayre, a non-executive member of Ofcom's content board, and former deputy chief executive of BBC News.

He expects to report his findings by early summer.

Channel 4's Richard and Judy show is already being investigated

The Ofcom inquiry will examine the roles of all involved - broadcasters, producers and telephone network operators.

TV votes and contests are currently under intense scrutiny, with premium rate phone regulator Icstis currently investigating 15 separate shows, including BBC's Saturday Kitchen and ITV's The X Factor.

The BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Five have all taken steps to review their own procedures in recent weeks.

The issue first arose last month when it was alleged that viewers had been invited to participate in a quiz on Richard and Judy's Channel 4 show after a contestant had already been chosen.

Then it emerged that the BBC One cookery show Saturday Kitchen had issued an appeal for callers to a programme that had already been recorded.

Results faked

Some viewers using the "red button" on digital satellite were wrongly charged when they voted for the winner of The X Factor.

And it was also confirmed that competition results had been faked by Five's Brainteaser quiz and BBC One's long-running children's series Blue Peter.

Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell told The Times newspaper earlier this week that tougher laws could be imposed on TV channels which exploit viewers with premium-rate phone-ins.

But she said she would wait to see what action Ofcom and Icstis would take before deciding whether extra powers were needed.