Distribution & Consumption

BBC to review live events guidance after Glastonbury furore

The BBC is to review its guidance around live events after broadcasting Bob Vylan's performance at Glastonbury, during which the band's singer led the crowd in chants of "death, death to the IDF [Israel Defense Forces]".

A criminal investigation has been launched by Avon and Somerset Police over the performance at Glastonbury on Saturday.

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BBC to review live events guidance after Glastonbury furore

Speaking in Parliament on Monday, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy called the scenes broadcast "appalling and unacceptable".

In a statement, the BBC said: “The antisemitic sentiments expressed by Bob Vylan were utterly unacceptable and have no place on our airwaves.”

"The performance was part of a live stream of the West Holts stage on BBC iPlayer. The judgment on Saturday to issue a warning on screen while streaming online was in line with our editorial guidelines. In addition, we took the decision not to make the performance available on demand. The team were dealing with a live situation but with hindsight we should have pulled the stream during the performance. We regret this did not happen.

"In light of this weekend, we will look at our guidance around live events so we can be sure teams are clear on when it is acceptable to keep output on air."

Nandy said she had called BBC Director-General Tim Davie after the broadcast of Bob Vylan's set to find out why it had aired, and why the feed had not been cut. "I expect answers to these questions without delay," she said.

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