Radio Caroline error: False report of King Charles III's death investigated

The British media regulator, Ofcom, has released a report detailing how Radio Caroline mistakenly broadcasted news of King Charles III’s death during a live program in May. The incident occurred during “The Barry Marsh Show,” when three pre-recorded emergency announcements regarding the monarch's death were played, followed by the national anthem and approximately 16 minutes of silence.

According to the investigation, the error was caused by an employee performing maintenance on a studio computer. Driven by “curiosity,” the staff member played an audio file intended for use in the event of the King's actual passing. This action interrupted the live broadcast of a remote presenter. The employee reportedly panicked and left the premises immediately after realizing the mistake.

Ofcom concluded that Radio Caroline breached broadcasting codes regarding news accuracy and the requirement to promptly correct significant errors. In response, the station has implemented new protocols, including storing sensitive emergency files on external hard drives rather than studio computers to prevent future occurrences. The responsible employee received a formal warning.