The BBC "clearly has questions to answer" over its coverage of a performance by Bob Vylan at Glastonbury, the broadcasting watchdog Ofcom has said. During Saturday's live broadcast, the band's singer led the crowd in chants of "death, death to the IDF [Israel Defense Forces]", commentsthe government and festival organisers have said they were "appalled" by. The BBC has previously said the remarks were "deeply offensive" and the set will not be made available on iPlayer. On Monday, Ofcom said it was in contact with the BBC and had asked for clarification over why the comments were broadcast. A spokesperson for the regulator said: "We are very concerned about the live stream of this performance, and the BBC clearly has questions to answer. "We have been speaking to the BBC over the weekend and we are obtaining further information as a matter of urgency, including what procedures were in place to ensure compliance with its own editorial guidelines."
BBC has questions to answer over Bob Vylan broadcast, says Ofcom
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"Ofcom Seeks Clarification from BBC on Bob Vylan's Controversial Glastonbury Performance"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
Ofcom, the UK's broadcasting regulator, has expressed significant concern regarding the BBC's live coverage of a performance by the band Bob Vylan at the Glastonbury Festival. During the broadcast, the lead singer initiated chants of 'death, death to the IDF,' referring to the Israel Defense Forces, which has sparked outrage from both the government and festival organizers. They voiced their disapproval, labeling the remarks as 'deeply offensive.' In response to the incident, the BBC has stated that the performance will not be available for viewing on its iPlayer platform. This decision highlights the seriousness of the situation and the potential implications for the broadcaster's adherence to its editorial standards.
In light of these events, Ofcom has reached out to the BBC for clarification regarding the circumstances that allowed such comments to be aired during a live performance. A spokesperson from Ofcom emphasized the urgency of obtaining more information about the editorial procedures that were in place at the time of the broadcast. The regulator has indicated that it is actively pursuing answers to ensure compliance with broadcasting guidelines, underscoring the importance of responsible media coverage, particularly when sensitive political issues are involved. The outcome of Ofcom's inquiry could have implications for the BBC's regulatory compliance and its approach to live event coverage in the future.
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