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BBC NUJ Reel News

BBC facing questions after breach of copyright claims

By Angela Haggerty, Reporter

November 7, 2013 | 3 min read

The BBC is facing criticism after claims that footage used to illustrate the recent dispute involving the Unite union at Grangemouth refinery was taken without permission from an activist video collective and actually came from a demonstration about blacklisting.

Copyright: The broadcaster has been criticised over copyright claims

Reel News contacted the BBC about the report, which was aired on 31 October, after viewers flagged up that the footage came from their YouTube channel. The group is now being represented by the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) over the dispute.

In a statement released today, the group said: “We would like to make it clear that footage which depicted a demonstration by Unite members and others against the illegal practice of blacklisting was used without our knowledge or permission.

“It would be difficult to quantify our anger and disgust when we realised to what purpose our ripped material was being used.”

Reel News said the BBC was contacted immediately with a request to remove the content as “it violated both our copyright and our moral rights as creators”, but the BBC refused to do so and continued broadcasting the report.

The statement added: “At no point did the BBC attempt to contact us to ask permission to use the footage, though we can be reached very easily through a number of different channels. Nor did they credit the footage to us having used it without permission.

“We would only sell material to commercial broadcasters upon request if were completely satisfied that we agreed with the context in which it is to be used. We have regularly refused to license material on that principle, regardless of financial incentives offered.”

The NUJ has now become involved in support of Reel News and has requested an explanation from the broadcaster.

John Toner, NUJ national freelance organiser, said: “I have written to the BBC, asking for a right of reply on the issue of the distorted use that was made of the Reel News footage. We fully support Reel News in their efforts to set the record straight in relation to what is actually happening in the footage.

“We are entitled to expect the highest standards of journalism from our public broadcaster, but on this occasion I can express only shock and dismay. I have also raised the issues of copyright and moral rights, and asked that they make an offer of compensation.”

The Drum contacted the BBC and was awaiting a response at time of publication.

BBC NUJ Reel News

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