It may be sufficient simply to ensure that contributors are not readily recognisable to the general public, or it may be necessary to ensure that they cannot be identified even by friends or family. Such matters should be resolved in advance. Where anonymity is necessary producers must make it effective. Both picture and voice may need to be disguised. In such cases, audiences must be told what they are hearing.
Great care needs to be taken over pictures.
If absolute anonymity is essential, programme makers must ensure there is no evidence of the contributors identity even on the original recording or in any documentation. Editorial Policy can offer advice on this. Our international services often rebroadcast material originally recorded for the BBC s domestic services. If this material might compromise the safety of contributors when it is rebroadcast, it may be appropriate to disguise the identity of those concerned. Producers should check with the contributor when anonymity is being discussed whether there are any additional factors that need to be taken into account with international transmission.