The BBC and Norway’s public broadcaster TV2 are in a row after the BBC would not allow material to be shown in a documentary that will be shown on Norwegian television.

In an email seen by MediaGuardian, a sales executive from BBC Worldwide refused to give a Swedish broadcaster permission to reuse its footage in subsequent showings of the documentary produced by TV2.

The documentary, titled "The Famine Scam", has alleged that the BBC and the United Nations were saying that African state of Niger was suffering from a famine. Interviewees like the Prime Minister of Niger, residents, doctors in the region and an aid organisation spokesperson in the US have said that no famine existed.

Though the BBC allowed producers a license to show the reports, but withdrew after the footage was shown in Norway - forcing the producers to shorten the documentary. In the original format, the documentary was awarded third prize in the Monte Carlo TV festival in June.

Source: MediaGuardian