BAFTA and BBC Let the N-Word Air on Tape Delay — Michael B. Jordan, Delroy Lindo, the Tourette’s Community and Viewers Deserve an Apology

This cannot be overstated: BAFTA and the BBC failed us all. During the 79th BAFTA Film Awards, host Alan Cumming paused the ceremony to thank the audience for its “understanding” after a series of aud

23 Feb, 10:44 — 23 Feb, 12:04

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Why this matters

The broadcast of a racial slur during the tape-delayed BAFTA Film Awards has sparked significant controversy, raising questions about editorial oversight and responsibility. This incident is particularly sensitive given the offensive nature of the N-word and its impact on marginalized communities, especially when it overshadowed efforts to promote diversity within the film industry. The failure to edit out the outburst, attributed to a Tourette syndrome campaigner, has led to calls for apologies and a reevaluation of broadcast standards.

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Key entities

BAFTAFilm awards organizer BBCBroadcaster of the awards John DavidsonTourette syndrome campaigner who uttered the slur Michael B. JordanActor mentioned as deserving an apology Delroy LindoActor mentioned as deserving an apology Tourette’s CommunityCommunity affected by the incident's context

Coverage Timeline

First report: The Guardian · 23 Feb, 10:44|Full coverage: All 2 sources within 1h|Window: 1h

The Guardian23 Feb, 10:44First to report

N-word incident at the Baftas overshadows leaps forward for diversity

1h later

variety23 Feb, 12:04Latest update

BBC Removes BAFTA Film Awards From iPlayer After Leaving N-Word Outburst in Tape-Delayed Broadcast

Read at source (2 outlets)

variety1h ago

BBC Removes BAFTA Film Awards From iPlayer After Leaving N-Word Outburst in Tape-Delayed Broadcast

The BBC has removed the BAFTA Film Awards from being available to stream on iPlayer after not cutting a racial slur from its tape-delayed broadcast on Sunday night. The outburst came from John Davidson, a Tourette syndrome campaigner who was seated in the audience during the ceremony and is himself the subject of the biopic […]

By Naman Ramachandran

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The Guardian2h ago

N-word incident at the Baftas overshadows leaps forward for diversity

In not editing out Tourette syndrome campaigner John Davidson’s shouted tics, Bafta have shot themselves in the foot Bafta’s error was big on Sunday night - but it was in the editing, or the lack of. No one could have stopped John Davidson - who has Tourette syndrome - yelling out the N-word while two black actors, Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo, were presenting a prize. But given that they did use the two-hour time delay to judiciously remove Akinola Davies Jr’s shout of “Free Palestine!”...

By Catherine Shoard

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BAFTA and BBC Let the N-Word Air on Tape Delay — Michael B. Jordan, Delroy Lindo, the Tourette’s Community and Viewers Deserve an Apology

Why this matters

Key entities

Coverage Timeline

N-word incident at the Baftas overshadows leaps forward for diversity

BBC Removes BAFTA Film Awards From iPlayer After Leaving N-Word Outburst in Tape-Delayed Broadcast

Read at source (2 outlets)

BBC Removes BAFTA Film Awards From iPlayer After Leaving N-Word Outburst in Tape-Delayed Broadcast

N-word incident at the Baftas overshadows leaps forward for diversity

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