BBC escapes from record libel payout

The BBC escaped the threat of a record libel payout when it agreed to pay £500,000 to an African diamond firm that it wrongly linked to Osama bin Laden in a news item.
Oryx Natural Resources had been demanding £12m in damages which, if paid, would have been the most expensive libel in the BBC's history.
In a joint statement with Oryx, the corporation said: "The BBC regretted that a serious editorial mistake had occurred, and broadcast a full apology as a result of its error."
Mark Damazer, the deputy director of BBC News, said: "The BBC is pleased that we have reached agreement with Oryx. We have made a mistake and were always prepared to pay Oryx the money they lost as a result."
(GB)