Media regulator Ofcom has fined Radio Caroline for a 'significant inaccuracy' after the station mistakenly announced the death of King Charles III. The announcement occurred during "The Barry Marsh Show" on May 19 and was followed by a pre-recorded national anthem.
Ofcom stated the incident was a matter of 'very high public interest' and that the station breached rules requiring news to be reported with due accuracy and for significant mistakes to be corrected quickly. Two listener complaints prompted an investigation.
According to Ofcom's findings, a staff member was carrying out maintenance on the station's computer system and played pre-recorded files out of curiosity. Upon realizing the files were being broadcast, the staff member stopped the recordings, panicked, and left the premises. Radio Caroline did not issue a correction and apology until approximately 30 minutes after the inaccurate announcements.
Radio Caroline, a station with roots as an offshore 'pirate' broadcaster in the 1960s, is now a licensed broadcaster based in Essex. Station manager Peter Moore explained that a "computer error" at the main studio accidentally activated the "Death of a Monarch procedure." He added that the station fell silent as protocol dictates, which alerted staff to restore programming and issue an apology. The station has reprimanded the staff member involved and removed the audio files from the studio computer.
Ofcom considered the incident a 'very significant inaccuracy about an issue of particular public importance.' Radio Caroline stated it acted as soon as possible after discovering the error and took the matter seriously, apologizing for any distress caused to the King and listeners.