
BBC ‘needs to get a grip quicker' after controversies such as Bob Vylan set
Ofcom chief executive Melanie Dawes said on Sunday there could be a risk that the public will lose confidence in the BBC after the regulator previously said the broadcaster has questions to answer over its Glastonbury coverage.
Dame Melanie told BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: 'I think it's very frustrating that the BBC has had some own goals in this area, with the Gaza documentary and then with the Glastonbury coverage, and it does start to erode public trust and confidence.
'I think I would say that, above all what frustrates me and others, is that when these things go wrong it can take a long time for the BBC to see that something's happened when everybody else was there within a matter of hours.
'So I would say to the BBC I think they need to get a grip quicker, get these reports and investigations concluded sooner, otherwise there is a real risk of a sort of loss of confidence in the BBC, which is a shame.'
Melanie Dawes made the comments on the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg (Jeff Overs/BBC/PA)
The BBC has been approached for comment.
Dame Melanie spoke ahead of a BBC review into the documentary Gaza: How To Survive A Warzone after it emerged its 13-year-old narrator was the son of a Hamas official.
The corporation issued an apology after the Bob Vylan set at Glastonbury, saying: '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 said it was 'clear that errors were made' as it set out the timeline of the decisions made over it broadcast, adding: '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 livestreaming with appropriate mitigations.
'Prior to Glastonbury, a decision was taken that compliance risks could be mitigated in real time on the livestream – through the use of language or content warnings – without the need for a delay. This was clearly not the case.'
Bob Vylan came under fire for chants during their performance on the West Holts Stage (Yui Mok/PA)
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.
'Any music performances deemed high risk will now not be broadcast live or streamed live.'
The BBC has also promised to take action to 'ensure proper accountability' and issued an apology to viewers, especially the Jewish community.
Avon and Somerset Police have also launched an investigation into comments made during the group's West Holts Stage performance.
The group was already under a police investigation for comments made at a concert a month before Glastonbury.
Video footage appears to show Bobby Vylan at Alexandra Palace telling crowds: 'Death to every single IDF soldier out there as an agent of terror for Israel. Death to the IDF.'
The group issued a statement claiming they were being 'targeted for speaking up' after Avon and Somerset Police began its investigation.
Formed in 2017, Bob Vylan are known for addressing political issues in their albums including racism, masculinity and class.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Scottish Sun
13 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Fuming Love Island fans complain to Ofcom as they accuse producers of ‘bullying' villa girl ahead of Grafties return
UNHAPPY Love Island fans have revealed that they are complaining to Ofcom after accusing show bosses of "bullying" one villa girl. Ahead of the return of the infamous Grafties, viewers of the ITV2 dating show have theorised that producers have unfairly targeted Shakira Khan. 5 Love Island fans have hit out at bosses regarding Shakira Khan Credit: Eroteme 5 The TV star has faced a tough ordeal in the Love Island villa Credit: Eroteme 5 Her love life has been rocky in the villa Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Fan theories have emerged in which they have baselessly claimed that producers have unfairly picked on Shakira after her troubling time in the villa. Viewers have seen her struggle with her feelings for Harry after being caught up in one of the show's longest-running love triangles ever alongside Helana Ford. Harry has been affectionate with both women and despite making things exclusive with Helena, he has admitted to still having feelings for Shakira. Now, fans think she has been put in the firing line just in time for the annual award ceremony that is known for lifting villa secrets and causing long-lasting rifts. Hitting out at bosses, one fan wrote online: "Watching Shakira be bullied by producers has been a hard watch. Megan and Helena have said some terrible things and behaved in a disgusting manner but it is never shown. "No matter what Shakira does it is is like she is being bullied out of her sanity and out of the villa. Complain to Ofcom." Someone else similarly added: "I've logged an Ofcom complaint about the repeated attacks on Shakira by the production team." Another penned: "WHY THEY KEEP MAKING SHAKIRA A TARGET FOR BULLYING ? Feel so bad for her." Before a fourth affirmed their plans to alert broadcasting watchdog Ofcom, writing: "Oh here we go ofcom is calling my name." It comes as The Sun told how a heartbroken Shakira threatened to quit the show and leave the villa amid her conflicting feelings for Harry as well as her recent break-up with Conor. Love Island star Harry's shock comment to Shakira revealed - just hours after going exclusive with Helena In as-yet unaired scenes, the lass from Burnley had a meltdown in the beach hut after ending her blossoming relationship with Conor over fears she'd never get over Harry. The Sun can reveal Shakira was so upset by the situation, she went to seek support from the 24/7 duty of care team and asked to leave. Bosses were able to help her through the turmoil over a number of hours and she made the decision to stay. The meltdown happened after she ended things with the Irish rugby lad. A source said: 'Shakira has been through the wringer and was already at breaking point over her heartbreak by Harry. 'When Harry made it exclusive with Helena, everything unravelled and she realised she wasn't ready to be with Conor properly. 'She did the brave thing by ending that, but then the floodgates opened and she just didn't want to be in the villa anymore. 'She went to the beach hut and asked to leave the villa. 'The duty of care team were able to help her through her emotions and she decided to stay.' Shakira has had a tumultuous time in the villa but viewers branded her decision to end it with Conor 'real'. 5 She has struggled in the villa Credit: Eroteme


Daily Mirror
14 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Shameless star completely unrecognisable in chilling new BBC drama
BBC's powerful new drama Unforgivable has one renowned Shameless star among its leading star-studded cast but fans will simply not recognise him Shameless actor David Threlfall couldn't look further away from his former alter-ego Frank Gallagher even if he tried, in BBC 's new drama feature, Unforgivable. The dark story plot follows a harrowing tale that centres around child grooming and sexual abuse and shines a light on how a heinous crime can ripple through an entire family, with the Mitchells at the heart of the 90-minute long feature. David, 71, who is best known for his alcoholic, chain-smoking days as Frank on the popular working-class comedy sitcom, has ditched his iconic long dark locks to star in the role of Anna Mitchell's father. Anna, is a mother of two children and her brother Joe is the perpetrator - who had been behind bars serving a two year prison sentence for his despicable crimes. Joe is now to be released from jail and undertake rehabilitation which takes further toll on Anna, who is played by award-winning actress, Anna Friel, as she attempts to deal with the aftermath and emotional strain. David plays the angry dad of Anna, after learning she'd been to visit her brother Joe, despite his chilling crimes. His character in Unforgivable appears to be worlds away from his former head-of-the-clan character Frank on Shameless. In the brand new production, the esteemed actor is totally unrecognisable, boasting short gray hair and a neatly trimmed matching beard. Another distinctive observation that'll no doubt throw fans off of his Frank Gallagher scent, is that he is also presented as a well kept man, sporting a black tie and blazer with a crisp white shirt - nothing like his oversized green parka-style coat from a past on-screen life. Previously, David's appearance and accent have also proved to be a talking point among baffled fans with the actor bearing no real-life resemblance to his character at all. He played Frank so well, that viewers were unable to get past that he may not be anything like him off-screen. Shameless aired on Channel 4 for eleven series and 139 episodes from 2004 until 2013 and was adapted in the US, where it ran between 2011 and 2021. Speaking about his pursuits away from television, David previously shared with the Mirror that he is a family man at heart, sharing two children with his accomplished actor wife, Brana Bajic. Underscoring the disparity between himself and his fictional counterpart, he told the publication 2010: "I can't imagine getting up in the morning and taking a drink. My body doesn't take more than four pints. I was doing a scene yesterday where he was drinking cough medicine. He's lost." Unforgivable will air on BBC Two at 9pm this Thursday and will be available on BBC iPlayer from the same day.


The Sun
14 minutes ago
- The Sun
Fuming Love Island fans complain to Ofcom as they accuse producers of ‘bullying' villa girl ahead of Grafties return
UNHAPPY Love Island fans have revealed that they are complaining to Ofcom after accusing show bosses of "bullying" one villa girl. Ahead of the return of the infamous Grafties, viewers of the ITV2 dating show have theorised that producers have unfairly targeted Shakira Khan. 5 5 5 Fan theories have emerged in which they have baselessly claimed that producers have unfairly picked on Shakira after her troubling time in the villa. Viewers have seen her struggle with her feelings for Harry after being caught up in one of the show's longest-running love triangles ever alongside Helana Ford. Harry has been affectionate with both women and despite making things exclusive with Helena, he has admitted to still having feelings for Shakira. Now, fans think she has been put in the firing line just in time for the annual award ceremony that is known for lifting villa secrets and causing long-lasting rifts. Hitting out at bosses, one fan wrote online: "Watching Shakira be bullied by producers has been a hard watch. Megan and Helena have said some terrible things and behaved in a disgusting manner but it is never shown. "No matter what Shakira does it is is like she is being bullied out of her sanity and out of the villa. Complain to Ofcom." Someone else similarly added: "I've logged an Ofcom complaint about the repeated attacks on Shakira by the production team." Before a fourth affirmed their plans to alert broadcasting watchdog Ofcom, writing: "Oh here we go ofcom is calling my name." It comes as The Sun told how a heartbroken Shakira threatened to quit the show and leave the villa amid her conflicting feelings for Harry as well as her recent break-up with Conor. Love Island star Harry's shock comment to Shakira revealed - just hours after going exclusive with Helena In as-yet unaired scenes, the lass from Burnley had a meltdown in the beach hut after ending her blossoming relationship with Conor over fears she'd never get over Harry. The Sun can reveal Shakira was so upset by the situation, she went to seek support from the 24/7 duty of care team and asked to leave. Bosses were able to help her through the turmoil over a number of hours and she made the decision to stay. The meltdown happened after she ended things with the Irish rugby lad. A source said: 'Shakira has been through the wringer and was already at breaking point over her heartbreak by Harry. 'When Harry made it exclusive with Helena, everything unravelled and she realised she wasn't ready to be with Conor properly. 'She did the brave thing by ending that, but then the floodgates opened and she just didn't want to be in the villa anymore. 'She went to the beach hut and asked to leave the villa. 'The duty of care team were able to help her through her emotions and she decided to stay.' Shakira has had a tumultuous time in the villa but viewers branded her decision to end it with Conor 'real'. 5 5