±«Óãtv apology to Primark and our audiences
In 2008, we broadcast an hour-long Panorama special called Primark: On the Rack.
The programme included footage obtained in a workshop in Bangalore, India, of three boys carrying out an activity described as "testing the stitching" on Primark garments.
Primark complained about the programme. The main issue it raised was the authenticity of this footage.
The Editorial Standards Committee of the ±«Óãtv Trust concluded that it was more likely than not that the footage of the three boys apparently working on Primark garments was not authentic. This was a serious breach of editorial standards which caused unfairness to Primark. The footage should not have been broadcast.
The Committee considered that there is a strong public interest in Panorama conducting such investigations. However, there were serious failings in the making of this edition of the programme and they are not acceptable.
The ±«Óãtv Trust would like to apologise unreservedly to Primark and to our audiences.
