A UK radio station, Radio Caroline, has been found to have breached broadcasting rules after accidentally announcing the death of King Charles III while the monarch was still alive.
The ruling was issued by the UK communications regulator, Ofcom, following an incident in May in which pre-recorded announcements intended for use after the King’s eventual death were mistakenly broadcast.
The incident occurred on May 19 during the Barry Marsh Show. Three recorded announcements were aired, telling listeners that King Charles III had died and that normal programming had been suspended as a mark of respect.
The announcement was followed by the playing of the British national anthem and about 16 minutes of silence on the station’s DAB+ service. Listeners receiving the station through AM instead heard backup music.
Radio Caroline later broadcast a correction and apology approximately 30 minutes after the false announcement.
According to Ofcom, the incident breached two provisions of its Broadcasting Code. Rule 5.1 requires broadcasters to ensure that news is reported with due accuracy, while Rule 5.2 requires significant mistakes to be corrected quickly.
The regulator described the false announcement of the King’s death as a “very significant inaccuracy” involving a matter of “very high public interest.”
Radio Caroline said the files containing the announcements were subject to strict instructions governing when they could be played. The station said a staff member accessed and played the files out of curiosity, resulting in the erroneous broadcast.
The employee involved was subsequently reprimanded and apologised. Radio Caroline also removed the sensitive obituary files from the studio computer and reminded presenters and support staff of the procedures governing such material.
The station said it took the incident seriously and acted as soon as it became aware of the mistake. It also noted that only two complaints were made to Ofcom over the incident and highlighted its status as a volunteer-led operation.
The incident has drawn attention to the importance of safeguards around pre-prepared royal obituary material, which broadcasters routinely maintain in anticipation of major national events.
King Charles III remains the reigning British monarch.
