The BBC has said it will no longer broadcast live or stream live performances deemed “high risk” after controversy over punk rap duo Bob Vylan’s appearance at Glastonbury last Saturday.
The duo – Bobby Vylan and bandmate Bobbie Vylan – are being investigated by Avon and Somerset Police over their controversial appearance at Worthy Farm when rapper Bobby Vylan led crowds in chants of “death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)” during their live-streamed performance at the Somerset music festival.
The BBC has admitted Bob Vylan were assessed as “high risk” before the punk duo’s performance at Glastonbury but were “deemed suitable for live streaming with appropriate mitigations”, which the corporation said was “clearly not the case”.
In a new statement on Thursday, the BBC said: “We fully understand the strength of feeling regarding Bob Vylan’s live appearance at Glastonbury on the BBC.
“We deeply regret that such offensive and deplorable behaviour appeared on the BBC and want to apologise to our viewers and listeners and in particular the Jewish community. We are also unequivocal that there can be no place for antisemitism at, or on, the BBC.
“It is clear that errors were made both in the lead-up to and during Bob Vylan’s appearance. We think it’s important to set out some of the detail around the streaming of this performance.
“Bob Vylan were deemed high risk following a risk assessment process applied to all acts appearing at Glastonbury. Seven acts including Bob Vylan were included in this category and they were all deemed suitable for live streaming with appropriate mitigations.
“Prior to Glastonbury, a decision was taken that compliance risks could be mitigated in real time on the live stream – through the use of language or content warnings – without the need for a delay. This was clearly not the case.
“During the performance, the live stream was monitored in line with the agreed compliance protocols and a number of issues were escalated. Warnings appeared on the stream on two occasions and the editorial team took the decision not to cut the feed. This was an error.”
It added: “Given the failings that have been acknowledged, we are taking actions to ensure proper accountability for those found to be responsible for those failings in the live broadcast. We will not comment further on those processes at this time.
“Furthermore, as a result, we will make immediate changes to live streaming music events.
“Any music performances deemed high risk will now not be broadcast live or streamed live.”
BBC Chair Samir Shah said in a statement: “I’d like first of all to apologise to all our viewers and listeners and particularly the Jewish community for allowing the ‘artist’ Bob Vylan to express unconscionable antisemitic views live on the BBC.
“This was unquestionably an error of judgement. I was very pleased to note that as soon as this came to the notice of Tim Davie (BBC Director-General) – who was on the Glastonbury site at the time visiting BBC staff – he took immediate action and instructed the team to withdraw the performance from on demand coverage.
“The BBC Board met on Tuesday to hear what actions will now be taken. The Executive have agreed to put in place a set of strengthened editorial practices and policies for live music programming. These will be important measures to safeguard future live broadcasts from a failure such as this.
“I am satisfied that the Executive is initiating a process to ensure proper accountability for those found to be responsible for the failings in this incident. While it is important that the process is carried out fairly and correctly, it is equally important that the Executive takes decisive action.
“The Board fully supports the Director-General and the swift actions taken by him and his team to identify these errors and address them.”
BBC Director-General Tim Davie has also issued a personal apology, asking people to treat each other with “respect and kindness”.
He said: “I wanted to write to you today about Bob Vylan’s appearance at Glastonbury.
“I deeply regret that such offensive and deplorable behaviour appeared on the BBC and want to say sorry – to our audience and to all of you, but in particular to Jewish colleagues and the Jewish community.
“We are unequivocal that there can be no place for antisemitism at the BBC. I and everyone need to ensure that the BBC is a role model for inclusivity and tolerance and we all have a part to play. We are utterly committed to creating an environment where everyone is supported and can do their very best work.
