BBC denies banning stars, staff from using Twitter

The BBC has insisted that it is not planning to ban its staff, talent and writers from using social networking sites such as Twitter.

It was reported earlier today that the corporation is looking to forbid its top talent from posting on sites such as Twitter, Facebook and internet forums to prevent anyone leaking sensitive details regarding their involvement in BBC productions.

According to The Guardian, senior sources described the proposed ban as "a widely held view", adding that "conversations have started" to include clauses in contracts regarding social media.

However, the BBC has now denied the claims, stating that the broadcaster already has sufficient guidelines in place to dictate how talent and staff should use social networking.

"The BBC is not banning the use of Twitter by talent or writers," the corporation said in a statement. "The BBC has clear guidelines in place for both the personal and professional use of social media, and we encourage staff, writers and talent to use social media, provided it does not break any confidentiality agreements."

The report cited Sophie Ellis-Bextor's Twitter revelation that she is to appear alongside Sting on Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant's new comedy Life's Too Short, as well as Stephen Mangan's tweet that his drama Dirk Gently had been recommissioned, as examples of "inadvertent indiscretions".

Episodes star Mangan later questioned the authenticity of the allegations, posting on Twitter: "The Guardian is wrong... No indiscretion from me, I tweeted after BBC had announced the new series."