DaysofPal—The BBC is facing criticism after editing out a portion of its broadcast of the British Academy Film Awards in which award-winning filmmaker Akinola Davies Jr. said “Free Palestine,” while a racial slur remained audible elsewhere in the same program.
Davies Jr. received the award for outstanding debut by a British writer, director, or producer for his film My Father’s Shadow. Concluding his acceptance speech on Sunday, he expressed solidarity with “those under occupation, dictatorship, and persecution and those experiencing genocide.”
“To those watching at home, archive your loved ones; archive your stories of yesterday, today, and forever. For Nigeria, for London, Congo, Sudan, and Free Palestine,” he said.
When the BBC aired the ceremony on a two-hour delay, the closing portion of his remarks was removed. The edit prompted accusations of censorship from viewers and advocacy organizations.
Amnesty UK Condemns Edit
Amnesty International UK described the decision to cut the statement as “shameful.”
“Thank you, Akinola Davies Jr., for using your platform to speak out for the rights of migrants and people facing and fleeing from persecution and mass atrocities, from the Congo to Sudan to Palestine,” the group said in a statement.
The broadcaster declined to comment further on its editorial choices when contacted by Al Jazeera English.
The controversy intensified after a racial slur was heard during another segment of the broadcast. The offensive language was shouted from the audience while actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented the award for best visual effects.
Host Alan Cumming had earlier informed attendees that one guest, John Davidson, advocates for people living with Tourette syndrome, a neurological condition that can involve involuntary verbal tics, including inappropriate language.
The BBC apologized for failing to remove the outburst from the broadcast version, stating that it would edit the language from the program available on its streaming service. In a statement, the broadcaster said some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language linked to involuntary verbal tics and noted that it was not intentional.
Previous Editorial Controversies
The BBC has previously faced scrutiny over its coverage related to Israel and Gaza. In June last year, the broadcaster chose not to air a commissioned documentary about medical workers in Gaza, citing concerns over impartiality. More than 100 BBC journalists reportedly signed a petition opposing that decision.
The corporation has also been accused in the past of editing out pro-Palestinian messages during its coverage of the 2023 BAFTA Awards, including calls for a ceasefire in Gaza.
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