The broadcasting regulator has said the BBC needs to “get a grip quicker” on controversies such as Bob Vylan’s set at Glastonbury 2025.
The punk duo’s performance on the West Holts Stage at Worthy Farm last month saw them voice their support for the people of Palestine and display strong criticism for the Israeli government, including leading a chant of “death, death to the IDF [Israel Defence Forces]”.
The set provoked a huge reaction, with the BBC apologising to viewers for broadcasting the performance and admitting that it had deemed the set “high risk” in advance, but continued to live stream it in full online.
The corporation also said that the comments made by Bob Vylan were “offensive and deplorable” and that the decision to air the set was one that it “deeply regrets”. It then added that it will no longer be broadcasting any performances it thinks may be “high risk” in the future.
Amid the aftermath, the BBC’s director of music Lorna Clarke stepped down from her day-to-day responsibilities, with a small group of other senior BBC staff reportedly relinquishing their roles too.
Bob Vylan. CREDIT: Ki Price
Now, Dame Melanie Dawes, the chief executive of the UK’s broadcasting regulator Ofcom, has given an interview to the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg in which she has said she believes the ordeal has been damaging to the BBCs reputation.
“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,” she said.
“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.”
Bob Vylan’s set is also currently under investigation by Avon and Somerset Police who are assessing whether any offences had been committed. Kneecap’s performance on the same stage that day was also under investigation, but police recently confirmed that they had dropped that inquiry.
Bob Vylan divided opinions with their set. Artists including Lambrini Girls, Amyl And The Sniffers and Soft Play, have each shared their backing, with the latter sharing: “Again, the media is trying to distract you from the real story. The outrage sparked […] is merely a smoke screen for the lack of reporting on the destruction of the Palestinian people. They are starving children, where is the media’s outrage at Israel’s continued obliteration of a whole nation?”
On the other hand, the duo have had shows in Germany and France cancelled, their agents have reportedly cut ties with them, their US visas have been revoked, and they will no longer be supporting Gogol Bordello on a European tour.
Earlier this month, the band played their first show since Glastonbury at London’s The 100 Club and at one point during the set, a group of fans attempted to revive the “death to the IDF” chant.
As shown in footage captured by The Standard, frontman Bobby Vylan immediately pointed at those chanting and said: “No no no no no, you’re gonna get me in trouble. Apparently, every other chant is fine, but you lot will get me in trouble.” He then led the crowd in a chant of “Free, free Palestine”.
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