Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The BBC failed to pay £106,000 to charity from phone votes in over 20 programmes, including last year's UK Eurovision final, it said today.
In the case of Eurovision: Making Your Mind Up 2007, a presenter mistakenly told viewers to vote when phone lines had not yet opened.
The other problems with programmes, which have not been named, relate to Audiocall, part of BBC Worldwide, retaining all money raised from premium rate calls made by the audience who were mistakenly voting despite lines being closed.
For the first time, the BBC Trust has instructed the Corporation to apologise on air for breach of trust.
It has also asked the director general to consider disciplinary action against a small number of BBC Worldwide staff.
The BBC said the sums that should have been paid to charity have now been repaid with interest.
The problems, published in a report commissioned by the BBC, occurred between October 2005 and September last year.
BBC chairman Sir Michael Lyons blamed "unacceptable behaviour from a small number of staff".
He said that while a "clear editorial failure" led to the problem with Eurovision, where the phone lines were also being handled by Audiocall, in the other cases "the problems were entirely with Audiocall".
Sir Michael said the BBC Trust was "shocked to find another problem".
It follows the spate of scandals that have engulfed the BBC and the rest of the broadcasting industry.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments