Five Launches Viewer Trust Initiative

LONDON, July 24: The fallout from RDF’s botched trailer for
the BBC’s documentary on the Queen continues, with Five announcing that it will
be conducting a review of its procedures and will co-author a handbook for
independent producers with Channel 4.

Five is reviewing its processes, contracts and supplier
relationships to ensure viewers can have total faith in the broadcaster. It
will also co-author, along with Channel 4, the Independent Producers’
Handbook, which will be published in the
fall. The handbook aims to remind its program suppliers of their duties and
obligations.

Five’s chief executive, Jane Lighting, said: “The question
of viewer trust is the most serious issue we face today. Our viewers, brand and
reputation are the most valuable assets we have. We hope that these initiatives
will help to rebuild the relationship of trust, which has been damaged by
recent events, and that must exist between a broadcaster and its audience.”

Five is also briefing its staff to be vigilant for cases
where the best practice is not followed and to ensure that the highest
standards of rigor and transparency are maintained across all its services.

Five and Channel 4 have both said they will continue
commissioning titles from RDF; the production company has temporarily lost the
BBC and ITV as clients, pending an investigation into the improperly edited
trailer for A Year With the Queen.