Discredited

An internal investigation has revealed serious breaches in sponsorship guidelines in a BBC world news show about carbon trading telecast in 2009. The investigation by BBC trust’s editorial standards committee (ESC) found further 15 programmes in breach of the BBC’s editorial or sponsorship guidelines.

The most serious strictures were reserved for Taking the Credit made by the British production company Rockhopper Television. The investigation revealed the programme on Africa and climate was funded by UK-based firm Africa Carbon Livelihood Trust, which had links to carbon trade biggie Envirotrade. Envirotrade was featured in a positive light in the programme, but the show failed to credit the sponsor, so the viewers were unaware there was a funding arrangement, ESC notes.

A BBC World News spokesperson accepted the findings, adding, “We note the trust report found no breaches of impartiality in any of the programmes.”