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BBC drops high risk live performances after Bob Vylan Glastonbury set

BBC drops high risk live performances after Bob Vylan Glastonbury set

The Nationala day ago
The broadcaster said it was wrong to believe the punk duo Bob Vylan were 'suitable for live streaming with appropriate mitigations' for their performance at the Glastonbury Festival last week.
The BBC said it had ranked the punk duo as 'high risk' before the event, but following the fallout from the live performance, they have now decided to make immediate changes to their live streaming music events policy.
A statement from the BBC also signalled there would be repercussions for those responsible for the 'failings' of not cutting the live feed of Bob Vylan's performance at the weekend.
READ MORE: Rachel Reeves breaks silence on tears in the House of Commons
The statement said: 'We fully understand the strength of feeling regarding Bob Vylan's live appearance at Glastonbury on the BBC.
'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 live streaming with appropriate mitigations.
'Prior to Glastonbury, a decision was taken that compliance risks could be mitigated in real time on the live stream – through the use of language or content warnings – without the need for a delay. This was clearly not the case.
'During the performance, the live stream was monitored in line with the agreed compliance protocols and a number of issues were escalated. Warnings appeared on the stream on two occasions and the editorial team took the decision not to cut the feed. This was an error.
'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.
'Furthermore, as a result we will make immediate changes to live streaming music events.
'Any music performances deemed high risk will now not be broadcast live or streamed live.'
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Glastonbury 2025 was my first ever festival - here's what I thought
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The Herald Scotland

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  • The Herald Scotland

Glastonbury 2025 was my first ever festival - here's what I thought

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BBC music boss reportedly steps back from duties after Bob Vylan set decision
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Powys County Times

time22 minutes ago

  • Powys County Times

BBC music boss reportedly steps back from duties after Bob Vylan set decision

The BBC's director of music Lorna Clarke has stepped back from her day-to-day duties after controversy over the broadcaster's decision to show punk duo Bob Vylan's Glastonbury Festival set live, according to reports in The Times. It comes after singer Bobby Vylan, whose real name is reportedly Pascal Robinson-Foster, 34, led crowds in chants of 'death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)' during their set on Saturday afternoon. In a statement on Thursday, the BBC admitted it had assessed the Ipswich-formed act as 'high risk' before Glastonbury but deemed them suitable for live streaming before later saying this was 'clearly not the case', and apologising for the group's 'deplorable behaviour'. Clarke is reported to have stepped back from her responsibilities, which include overseeing six radio networks and live music events, while an investigation takes place, while a small group of senior BBC staff responsible for music and live events are also said to have stepped back. Following the incident, the BBC confirmed it would no longer live stream acts it deems 'high risk'. In the statement released on Thursday, the BBC said: '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 is clear that errors were made both in the lead-up to and during Bob Vylan's appearance. We think it's important to set out some of the detail around the streaming of this performance. '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 live streaming with appropriate mitigations. 'Prior to Glastonbury, a decision was taken that compliance risks could be mitigated in real time on the live stream – through the use of language or content warnings – without the need for a delay. This was clearly not the case.' 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. 'Furthermore, as a result we will make immediate changes to live streaming music events. 'Any music performances deemed high risk will now not be broadcast live or streamed live.' Since the performance, Avon and Somerset Police have launched an investigation into the comments made during the group's West Holts Stage set. It has also emerged that the group were already under investigation by police for comments made at a performance one 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 on Tuesday claiming they were being 'targeted for speaking up'. The band have also had their US visas revoked, ahead of their tour later this year, were pulled from their Saturday headline slot at Radar festival in Manchester and from an upcoming performance at a German music venue. Bob Vylan are expected to perform at the Boardmasters surfing and music festival in Newquay, Cornwall, in August. The group is known for addressing political issues in their music including racism, masculinity and class, and have released four albums in Dread (2019), We Live Here (2020), Bob Vylan Presents The Price Of Life (2022), and Humble As The Sun (2024).

BBC to drop ‘high risk' live performances after Bob Vylan Glastonbury set
BBC to drop ‘high risk' live performances after Bob Vylan Glastonbury set

The Guardian

time26 minutes ago

  • The Guardian

BBC to drop ‘high risk' live performances after Bob Vylan Glastonbury set

The BBC has said it was wrong to believe the punk duo Bob Vylan were 'suitable for live streaming with appropriate mitigations' for their performance at Glastonbury festival, despite ranking them as 'high risk' before the event. In a statement signalling there would be repercussions for those blamed for the failure, the corporation said any musical performances deemed to be high risk would now not be broadcast live or streamed live. Those overseeing such events would also be given more support and provided with 'more detailed, practical guidance on the threshold for withdrawing a live stream', it said. Bobby Vylan, whose real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, led chants of 'death, death to the IDF', referring to the Israel Defense Forces, at Glastonbury last Saturday. The BBC initially placed a warning on screen for viewers, but later said it regretted not intervening by pulling the live stream. The BBC director general, Tim Davie, was at the festival in the hours after the set and ordered the content not to feature in any further BBC coverage, but technical issues meant it remained on the iPlayer for several hours. Davie has come under significant pressure from the government over the Bob Vylan performance, as well as facing questions over a Gaza documentary pulled from iPlayer. Lisa Nandy, the culture secretary, said this week that one editorial error was 'something that must be gripped. When you have several, it becomes a problem of leadership.' However, Davie was backed by the BBC's chair, Samir Shah, who said that while the incident was 'unquestionably an error of judgment', he praised Davie's reaction to it. 'He took immediate action and instructed the team to withdraw the performance from on-demand coverage,' he said. Both Davie and Shah apologised for the live broadcast. 'The board fully supports the director general and the swift actions taken by him and his team to identify these errors and address them,' Shah said. The BBC is lining up disciplinary action against others who were directly involved. '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,' it said in a statement. 'We will not comment further on those processes at this time.' In its statement, the BBC said due diligence had been carried out on the band, but the wrong decision had been taken thereafter. 'Bob Vylan were deemed high risk following a risk assessment process applied to all acts appearing at Glastonbury,' it said. '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 live stream – through the use of language or content warnings – without the need for a delay. This was clearly not the case. 'During the performance, the live stream was monitored in line with the agreed compliance protocols and a number of issues were escalated. Warnings appeared on the stream on two occasions and the editorial team took the decision not to cut the feed. This was an error.' Writing to staff, Davie said: 'I deeply regret that such offensive and deplorable behaviour appeared on the BBC and want to say sorry – to our audience and to all of you, but in particular to Jewish colleagues and the Jewish community. 'We are unequivocal that there can be no place for antisemitism at the BBC. I and everyone need to ensure that the BBC is a role model for inclusivity and tolerance and we all have a part to play. We are utterly committed to creating an environment where everyone is supported and can do their very best work.' Since Glastonbury, the band have said they have been 'targeted for speaking up' over Gaza. 'We are not for the death of Jews, Arabs or any other race or group of people,' they said. '[We] are not the story. We are a distraction from the story. And whatever sanctions we receive will be a distraction. 'The government doesn't want us to ask why they remain silent in the face of this atrocity? To ask why they aren't doing more to stop the killing? To feed the starving?'

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