The UK’s media regulator, Ofcom, has ruled that Radio Caroline breached broadcasting rules after the Essex-based station mistakenly announced that King Charles III had died, in an incident that occurred on May 19.
The false alert went out during The Barry Marsh Show, when pre-recorded messages meant only for the event of the monarch’s actual death were aired without authorisation. One of the messages declared, “We have suspended our normal programmes until further notice as a mark of respect following the passing of His Majesty King Charles III,” with the announcements claiming that “news media” had confirmed the King’s death.
The false report was followed by the national anthem and about 16 minutes of silence on the station’s DAB+ service, while listeners on the AM service instead heard back-up music. It took roughly 30 minutes before a correction and apology were broadcast.
Ofcom said the staff member responsible, upon realising what had happened, stopped the files, “panicked and left the premises.” The presenter believed he was still off-site and was not actively monitoring his phone, so he did not immediately respond to calls from colleagues who had noticed the error.
The regulator, which received two complaints over the broadcast, found that Radio Caroline breached Rule 5.1, which requires news to be reported with due accuracy, and Rule 5.2, which mandates the swift on-air acknowledgement and correction of significant errors. Ofcom described the incident as “a very significant inaccuracy about an issue of particular public importance,” citing also the “considerable length of time” it took the station to correct it.
Radio Caroline, a former pirate radio station now known mainly for playing rock music, apologised for the error in May. The station told Ofcom it treated the matter “very seriously” and acted “as soon as possible” once the mistake was discovered. It said the staff member involved had been reprimanded and had apologised, and that the pre-recorded obituary files have since been removed from the studio computer to prevent a repeat.
The station also noted it is a “100% volunteer-led” operation without the resources of larger broadcasters, pointing out that only two complaints were lodged with the regulator.
King Charles III remains the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom. Radio Caroline was founded in 1964 as an offshore pirate station broadcasting from ships in international waters before its vessel ran aground off the Kent coast in 1991; the station continues to operate today.
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