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BBC boss backed in phone scandal BBC boss backed in phone scandal
(20 minutes later)
BBC director general Mark Thompson has been given a vote of confidence by the corporation's Trust after a fresh batch of faked competitions were unearthed.BBC director general Mark Thompson has been given a vote of confidence by the corporation's Trust after a fresh batch of faked competitions were unearthed.
Trust chairman Sir Michael Lyons said Mr Thompson was "the right person to lead change", adding he was "confident that he will do it".Trust chairman Sir Michael Lyons said Mr Thompson was "the right person to lead change", adding he was "confident that he will do it".
But he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme they would "suspend judgement until we have seen improvement".But he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme they would "suspend judgement until we have seen improvement".
Serious editorial breaches were found in six shows, including Comic Relief.Serious editorial breaches were found in six shows, including Comic Relief.
'Cutting corners'
Sir Michael warned that the Trust, which oversees the BBC's activities and represents licence fee payers, would be "watching very carefully" to ensure the correct sanctions were applied.Sir Michael warned that the Trust, which oversees the BBC's activities and represents licence fee payers, 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."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.
Comic Relief was one programme which breached standards The faked BBC phone-ins Comic Relief was one show which breached standards The faked BBC phone-ins
Broadcasting watchdog Ofcom said the admissions posed "serious questions" under its code of conduct and that it would request further information about the cases before taking action.
It added that it would speak to the BBC Trust about wider issues arising from recent findings that there was a "systematic failure" in the way TV channels have run premium rate phone services.
Some BBC executives are likely to be suspended while reviews are held into how mistakes were made.Some BBC executives are likely to be suspended while reviews are held into how mistakes were made.
Broadcasting union Bectu has warned that junior production staff should not become targets in the inquiry.Broadcasting union Bectu has warned that junior production staff should not become targets in the inquiry.
'Cutting corners'
General secretary Gerry Morrissey said: "This situation is of senior management's making. We will strongly defend any of our members who are disciplined because the problem lies at the top."General secretary Gerry Morrissey said: "This situation is of senior management's making. We will strongly defend any of our members who are disciplined because the problem lies at the top."
Jeremy Dear, general secretary of the National Union of Journalists, said staff shortages and short-term contracts across the industry are to blame for "cutting corners". Jeremy Dear, general secretary of the National Union of Journalists, said staff shortages and short-term contracts across the industry were to blame for "cutting corners".
Competitions cancelled
Mr Thompson has outlined a "zero tolerance" approach to future lapses in editorial judgement.Mr Thompson has outlined a "zero tolerance" approach to future lapses in editorial judgement.
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.
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-ins Mr Thompson has also ordered an independent inquiry into footage that wrongly implied the Queen walked out of a photo session.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-ins 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."
'Serious questions'
Mr Thompson has also called for a workshop involving other broadcasters to discuss issues surrounding editorial standards and training.Mr Thompson has also called for a workshop involving other broadcasters to discuss issues surrounding editorial standards and training.
Broadcasting watchdog Ofcom said the admissions pose "serious questions" under its code of conduct and that it will request further information about all the cases before taking further action.
It added that it would be speaking to the BBC Trust about wider issues arising from recent findings that there was a "systematic failure" in the way TV channels have run premium rate phone services.
ITV's Michael Grade, a former chairman of the BBC, told BBC Two's Newsnight that every broadcaster in the UK was affected, saying there was an "epidemic" in broadcasting beyond just the BBC.ITV's Michael Grade, a former chairman of the BBC, told BBC Two's Newsnight that every broadcaster in the UK was affected, saying there was an "epidemic" in broadcasting beyond just the BBC.
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."