Bafta fell short in duty of care when racial slur was shouted, review finds
Bafta fell short in duty of care when racial slur was shouted, review finds
An independent assessment has revealed that Bafta failed to uphold its responsibility to guests, members, and viewers during the February film awards when a racial slur was uttered. John Davidson, a Tourette’s advocate, involuntarily shouted the n-word while Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage at the ceremony. The incident occurred during the event, with no indication of deliberate intent, according to the review.
Bafta acknowledged the oversight in a statement, noting it “did not adequately anticipate or fully prepare for the impact of such an incident in a live event environment.” The organization said its duty of care to attendees and remote viewers was compromised, and it had sent direct apologies to those affected. The report follows the BBC’s own investigation into the incident, which was released earlier this week.
The BBC’s complaints unit determined the broadcast violated its editorial standards and should not have reached the air, though it was not intentional. On Friday, Bafta issued an unreserved apology to the black community, the disabled community, and all participants and viewers. It described the event as “a moment of celebration that was diminished and overshadowed.”
Structural flaws identified in event planning
The independent review, conducted by Rise Associates, highlighted several weaknesses in Bafta’s preparation, escalation protocols, and crisis management systems. However, it concluded there was no evidence of malicious intent from those involved. Bafta accepted these findings, emphasizing the need for improvement.
The report underscored a complex situation involving disability, broadcast risk, and the historical significance of the word used. It also pointed to a broader issue: the challenge of balancing accessibility for participants with the safety and dignity of others. While the event was not described as evidence of institutional racism, the review noted that Bafta’s systems “have not kept pace” with its diversity and inclusion objectives.
“What you’re hearing is a symptom—not my character, not my thought, not my belief,” Davidson said. “Tourette’s can feel spiteful, and it searches out the most upsetting tic for me personally and for those around me. The most offensive word I ticked at the ceremony is one I would never use and would completely condemn if I did not have Tourette’s.”
Following the ceremony, Lindo shared his thoughts with Vanity Fair, stating he and Jordan “did what we had to do” as they proceeded with their award presentation. He also wished “someone from Bafta spoke to us afterward.” Davidson, in an interview with Variety, clarified that the words he uttered were not a result of personal intent, describing them as “the last thing in the world I believe.”
