BBC mocked for spending ‘thousands’ on staff emoji guide

The BBC is in hot water for spending thousands of pounds on a 44-page guide which shows its staff the correct way to use emojis.

The guide was commissioned by BBC executives, who then hired an agency to research how the smiles could be used in news stories and on social media, The Daily Mail reported Saturday.

Bosses at BBC’s Radio 1 and Radio 1 Extra were sent the emoticon guide earlier this week, The Sun reported.

“We’re used to ridiculous BBC schemes but this is the worst yet. Top brass whinge about budget cuts, then they OK this. It beggars belief,” a source told The Sun newspaper.

BCC also received ridicule from its readers when it used a ‘sad face’ emoji to describe the death of the world’s oldest woman, Misao Okawa, 117, from Japan this week.

Walter Lasseigne Parenteau commented on BBC’s Facebook page, saying “Sad face, BBC? You don't think she had a good run?” while another described the emoji as “a bit inappropriate.”