BBC refuses to broadcast 'high risk' live events after Glastonbury backlash

The BBC has confirmed it will no longer broadcast performances deemed to be "high risk" live after Bob Vylan chanted "Death to the IDF" live at Glastonbury Festival. In a new statement, BBC chair Samir Shah said in a statement: "I'd like first of all to apologise to all our viewers and listeners and particularly the Jewish community for allowing the 'artist' Bob Vylan to express unconscionable antisemitic views live on the BBC.

"This was unquestionably an error of judgement. I was very pleased to note that as soon as this came to the notice of Tim Davie - who was on the Glastonbury site at the time visiting BBC staff - he took immediate action and instructed the team to withdraw the performance from on demand coverage.

"The BBC Board met on Tuesday to hear what actions will now be taken. The Executive have agreed to put in place a set of strengthened editorial practices and policies for live music programming. These will be important measures to safeguard future live broadcasts from a failure such as this.

"I am satisfied that the Executive is initiating a process to ensure proper accountability for those found to be responsible for the failings in this incident. While it is important that the process is carried out fairly and correctly, it is equally important that the Executive takes decisive action.

"The Board fully supports the Director-General and the swift actions taken by him and his team to identify these errors and address them."

The BBC further commented: "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; Editorial Policy support will always be available on site at major music festivals and events, to improve compliance processes and the speed of available advice; and we will provide more detailed, practical guidance on the threshold for withdrawing a livestream."

It has also been confirmed that Bob Vylan were considered to be "high-risk" before Glastonbury, with the BBC stating: "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 livestream - through the use of language or content warnings - without the need for a delay. This was clearly not the case.

"During the performance, the livestream 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."

Bob Vylan have since had their US visas revoked after the chant that "crossed the line", with prime minister Keir Starmer saying groups "making threats or inciting violence" should not be given a platform.