TV 2 assigns internal watchdog and lawyers to investigate Rasmus show

TV 2’s internal viewer editor and legal department will investigate the controversial programme Alle elsker Rasmus, the broadcaster’s chief executive told Ritzau, according to DR.

The investigation is intended to give TV 2’s board an informed basis for deciding on consequences and future action as quickly as possible, chief executive Anne Engdal Stig Christensen said in a written statement. She also said criticism of the programme was justified.

The broadcaster’s viewer editor, Lars Bennike, is an independent internal watchdog whose responsibilities include upholding high standards of programme ethics. TV 2’s content director, Ulla Pors, said earlier that airing the programme had been a mistake and that a thorough investigation was needed.

The programme was removed on Saturday after drawing criticism that it amounted to bullying, psychological torture and gaslighting. It followed comedian and actor Rasmus Wallbridge through a four-month prank, filmed mainly with hidden cameras.

A total of 149 of Wallbridge’s friends and acquaintances, along with several well-known people, took part. Everyone except Wallbridge knew the premise: he was led to believe he would make his first feature film. After filming, he was given the chance to decide whether the footage should be released. The project was produced by TV 2 and Drive Studios as an entertainment programme.