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Friday, August 5, 2011

Embarrassed BBC stops FBC Media-linked programmes

British broadcaster BBC has admitted that it was unaware that FBC Media had received millions of ringgit from the Malaysian government to position itself on international television.

KUALA LUMPUR: Britain’s top broadcaster, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), has suspended ties with FBC Media, the UK-based public relations company commissioned by the Barisan Nasional government in 2008 to promote itself abroad.

In a statement yesterday, BBC said “it is treating the matter with extreme seriousness” and will be launching a full investigation into FBC Media which lists, among its clients, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, former premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Sime Darby chairman Musa Hitam and Sarawak Chief Minister Taib Mahmud as their key clients.

“The BBC is committed to the highest editorial standards and takes these issues seriously.

“As a precautionary step, we will not broadcast programmes made by FBC while we look into these claims,” it said.

Najib had allegedly paid FBC Media just over RM57 million in 2008 and 2009 for programmes to prop up his image and that of the government on BBC and US-based CNBC and CNN.

In 2010, the BN government paid FBC Media yet another RM42 million for a “global strategic media campaign”.

FBC Media has an extensive reach and is said to be linked to the infamous Apco and several rogue blogs in the US.

The company which is primarily a public relations outfit also doubles up as a TV producer producing “feel-good” programmes based on the needs of clients.

Clients pay for the airtime slot on these channels which then passes off these advertorials as “real” programmes.

Strict agreements

The issue here is a question of whether or not this is an ethical practice.

FBC has been accused of deceiving millions of viewers by purchasing airtime on BBC, CNBC and CNN, with the aim of airing positive tales about Najib and other BN leaders.

The broadcast laws in UK, US and Europe are extremely stringent and FBC’s modus operandi is said to have breached licensing regulations in the broadcasting industry.

“All independent TV companies which produce programmes for BBC World News have to sign strict agreements to ensure programmes meet the BBC’s editorial guidelines, including avoiding any conflict of interest,” BBC told Sarawak Report.

BBC is the second network to launch an investigation into FBC Media’s activities.

Yesterday, Sarawak Report founder/editor Clare Rewcastle Brown informed FMT that CNBC had terminated its flagship business programme “World Business” following an investigation into FBC Media.

FBC Media had been producing paid-by-client content for “World Business”.

BBC and CNBC have been under tremendous pressure since Sarawak Report brought to light FBC Media’s unethical practices.

(www.sarawakreport.org)

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