BBC hit by new faking row as cameraman poses as punter

Alistair Foster12 April 2012

The BBC was embroiled in another row over misleading viewers today when it was criticised for "serious and repeated" breaches of editorial guidelines.

BBC1 series such as Sun, Sea And Bargain Spotting and Trash For Cash were among several programmes that misled viewers, according to an investigation by the BBC Trust.

The offending shows were made by independent production company Reef Television. The BBC was said to have not been aware of the deceit when they were broadcast.

Reef must now pay the BBC compensation and an on-air apology is to be broadcast.

The programmes included production staff being passed off as members and re-staging events for cameras.

In Sun, Sea And Bargain Spotting members of the public are sent abroad to find bargains which they then try to sell for a profit at a market in Britain.

In an episode broadcast in July, one competitor was having trouble selling a sheet when a man stepped forward and bought it for £25. He transpired to be a cameraman on the show.

Reef, which has been suspended from working for the BBC since the breaches came to light, has admitted that it carried out some of the practices knowingly.

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