UK media watchdog Ofcom has ruled that community station Radio Caroline breached broadcasting regulations after accidentally airing pre-recorded audio files falsely announcing the death of King Charles III during a May broadcast.
The incident occurred when an automated emergency message played on air stating, “We have suspended our normal programmes until further notice as a mark of respect following the passing of His Majesty King Charles III.”
The announcement was immediately followed by the national anthem and roughly 16 minutes of complete silence before normal programming resumed. The remote presenter issued an official apology on air 30 minutes after the initial glitch occurred.
Following an investigation into two formal public complaints, Ofcom concluded that the station violated rules mandating news accuracy as well as the prompt correction of significant on-air errors.
Following an investigation into two formal public complaints, Ofcom concluded that the station violated rules mandating news accuracy as well as the prompt correction of significant on-air errors.
Radio Caroline explained that a staff member carrying out studio maintenance played the restricted files "out of curiosity" while a show was streaming remotely.
The employee panicked and left the premises upon realizing the audio had gone live, while the remote presenter was initially unaware of the interruption.
The station confirmed that the employee was reprimanded and that the pre-recorded royal obituary files have since been completely removed from the studio computer.
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