Channel 5 apologises for broadcast of private information on 'Can't Pay? We'll Take it Away!'
On 5 July 2023, Channel 5 made the latest of a series of statements in open court in which it apologised to the subjects of an edition of the reality programme ‘Can’t Pay? We’ll Take it Away!‘.
The events in issue took place at the ‘His Presence Worship Ministry’ in Luton. High Court Enforcement Officers (“HCEAs”) attended with a film crew. The pastor, Mr David Foh-Amoaning, Mrs Matilda Foh-Amoaning and Irene Campbell were present inside the church. Their case is that they made it clear that they did not want to be filmed. However, in private areas of the church away from the film crew, the HCEAs used their bodycams and radio microphones to record video and audio from which an edition of ‘Can’t Pay’ was created. The material recorded in this way included conversations in which confidential information was disclosed.
The Claimants had no idea that they were being filmed by the HCEAs for the purpose of broadcasting material so obtained in this way.
The programme was broadcast to 6.7 million people via Channel 5, related channels and the Channel 5 video on demand service.
As well as apologising to the Claimants, Channel 5 will pay each of them substantial damages and has undertaken not to further publish the offending material.
5RB’s William Bennett KC acted for the Claimants, instructed by Daniel Shaw of Hamlins.
See further coverage by Hamlins, here.