A local radio station in the UK violated broadcasting regulations by mistakenly reporting the death of King Charles III during a broadcast in May, according to Ofcom. Radio Caroline, known for its rock format, aired a message stating that programming had been suspended following the monarch’s passing. This segment was followed by the national anthem and over 15 minutes of silence.
Ofcom initiated an investigation after receiving two formal complaints. The regulator determined that the station failed to maintain accuracy and neglected to correct the major error in a timely fashion. While the presenter apologized half an hour later, the watchdog ruled that the delay and the nature of the false claim breached essential broadcasting codes.
The incident originated when a staff member performed maintenance on the studio computer and accessed pre-recorded files intended for use only in the event of the King’s actual death. Out of curiosity, the employee triggered the audio, which disrupted the remote broadcast. Upon realizing the mistake, the staff member left the building in a panic, leaving the remote presenter unaware that they were no longer on air. Radio Caroline has since reprimanded the staff member, secured an apology, and deleted the sensitive files from their systems.
