BBC apologises for broadcasting paid documentaries

The BBC has apologised for broadcasting documentaries made by a TV company that was paid millions of pounds by clients.

The group issued an apology to 74 million BBC World News viewers around the world for breaking "rules aimed at protecting our editorial integrity", the Daily Mail reported.

A London-based company made eight documentaries for the BBC about Malaysia, but failed to declare it was paid 17 million pounds (around $26 million) by the Malaysian government.
The programmes included "positive coverage" of Malaysia's controversial palm oil industry.
Another documentary about the uprising in Egypt was also made for the BBC without declaring that the firm was reportedly paid by the regime of former president Hosni Mubarak.

"We have accepted the BBC Trust's findings and also apologised to viewers. We are committed to the highest standards of broadcasting," a BBC spokesman said.