BBC Broadcasts Racial Slur Again, Adding to Ongoing Controversy
The BBC has once again faced criticism after a racial slur was broadcast twice in one day. This incident occurred just two months after the broadcaster was involved in a similar scandal during the Baftas. The latest issue highlights ongoing concerns about content oversight and sensitivity within the organization.
Recent Incident Involving Childish Gambino’s Track
Earlier this month, BBC Radio 1 aired the racial slur during two news broadcasts. The offensive term was included in a backing track from American rapper Childish Gambino, which was used in a news package played on Newsbeat at 12:45 pm and 5:45 pm. The audio was part of a short clip that referenced the new Super Mario Galaxy Movie on April 1.
Childish Gambino, whose real name is Donald Glover, is starring in the film. Although it is unclear which specific song was used, several of his tracks contain the racial slur. A source described the incident as an “appalling oversight in the edit suite.” They added that the BBC has since implemented all-staff training to prevent similar mistakes in the future. However, this action has drawn more attention to the incident, which is seen as particularly damaging for the broadcaster following the recent Baftas controversy.
Apology from the BBC
In response to the incident, the BBC issued a statement expressing regret. The organization said, “We are very sorry this was broadcast. We should not have included this clip in this news report, and we removed the clip from Sounds when we realized the error.”
This latest episode comes after the BBC faced significant backlash in February when the N-word was aired during the 2026 Baftas. The incident involved actors Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo, who were subjected to the slur while presenting at the awards. The racial slur was shouted by campaigner John Davidson, who has Tourette’s syndrome, and he later apologized, stating that he was “deeply mortified” if anyone thought his actions were intentional.
Aftermath of the Baftas Incident
Viewers who tuned into the awards ceremony heard the slur after the BBC failed to edit it out from the BBC One broadcast on February 22. The offensive language remained on iPlayer for several hours before being removed. In an interview with Variety, Davidson expressed his expectation that the BBC would blur out his comments and questioned why he had been seated close to a microphone.
Following the incident, Bafta issued an “unreserved apology” for the “very offensive language that carries incomparable trauma and pain for so many.” The BBC also apologized and launched a “fast-tracked investigation” through its Executive Complaints Unit.
Response from BBC Leadership
In March, the BBC’s former director general, Tim Davie, wrote a letter to Dame Caroline Dinenage, chair of the Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Committee, explaining how the racial slur ended up in the broadcast despite a two-hour time delay. He stated, “Although the racial slur was symptomatic of a disability and an involuntary tic, it should never have been broadcast. It was a genuine mistake, and we take full responsibility for our error.”
Davie also mentioned that no one in the on-site broadcast truck heard the language when they were watching the live feed. As a result, there was no editorial decision made to leave the language in.
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