Channel 4 unveils new 'BB' measures

Channel 4 will introduce tighter controls over this year's Big Brother including an on-set legal team and welfare officer.

The broadcaster has published the results of its own investigation into the Celebity Big Brother controversy and its recommendations on how to change its procedures for the new series of Big Brother, which starts next Wednesday.

The review has prompted Channel 4 management to bring back a ‘right to reply’ style programme and to appoint the channel’s first Viewers’ Editor. It will also commission a major research programme into diversity in the UK.

Chief executive, Andy Duncan, said: “We accept Ofcom’s judgement that on the occasions in question we did not ensure that Big Brother intervened with the necessary promptness or strength. We would like to say sorry once again for the offence caused to viewers as a result."

Gideon Joseph has been seconded from Channel 4's news and current affairs department to the show's production team to keep an eye on editorial output. Staff numbers and the level of seniority of staff on-set has been increased, with all staff working on the show to be given "enhanced training in equality and diversity."

Channel 4 and Endemol have agreed a new written intervention policy regarding how it will deal with "seriously offensive language or behaviour". The housemates rules will be updated to clarify what Channel 4 considers to be unacceptable behaviour.

It has emerged that the CBB production team logged an incident on January 16 involving an allegedly racist limerick, which was not broadcast, though Channel 4 has said it was not made aware of the incident until "several days after it occurred".

In its report, Channel 4 said: "Brighter Pictures (Endemol) are responsible for producing Big Brother but, as broadcaster, Channel 4 must have reliable and up to date information on events taking place in the House that will inform editorial judgements about what is included in and excluded from the main edited evening show."

Duncan added: "It’s a matter of regret that we and senior managers at Endemol weren’t aware of these conversations immediately they occurred – as soon as we were made aware of them we ensured that the relevant housemates were reprimanded. While Ofcom’s investigation was on-going it was not appropriate to publish this material, but we are publishing a transcript today to end speculation about these conversations."