Latest news with #LornaClarke
The Independent
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
BBC ‘needs to get a grip quicker' after controversies such as Bob Vylan set
The BBC needs to 'get a grip quicker' and complete reports and investigations sooner following controversies such as the divisive set by punk rap duo Bob Vylan at Glastonbury, the head of the broadcasting regulator has said. The broadcaster apologised earlier this month for the group's 'deplorable behaviour' after frontman, Bobby Vylan, whose real name is reportedly Pascal Robinson-Foster, led crowds in chants of 'death, death to the IDF' (Israel Defence Forces) during their set at the festival which was shown live on TV and the iPlayer. The BBC also said it will no longer broadcast live performances deemed 'high risk' – as Bob Vylan had been assessed – and its director of music, Lorna Clarke, also reportedly stepped back from her day-to-day duties. Ofcom chief executive Melanie Dawes said on Sunday there could be a risk that the public will lose confidence in the BBC after the regulator previously said the broadcaster has questions to answer over its Glastonbury coverage. Dame Melanie told BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: '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. '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.' The BBC has been approached for comment. Dame Melanie spoke ahead of a BBC review into the documentary Gaza: How To Survive A Warzone after it emerged its 13-year-old narrator was the son of a Hamas official. The corporation issued an apology after the Bob Vylan set at Glastonbury, saying: '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 said it was 'clear that errors were made' as it set out the timeline of the decisions made over it broadcast, adding: '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 livestreaming 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.' 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. 'Any music performances deemed high risk will now not be broadcast live or streamed live.' The BBC has also promised to take action to 'ensure proper accountability' and issued an apology to viewers, especially the Jewish community. Avon and Somerset Police have also launched an investigation into comments made during the group's West Holts Stage performance. The group was already under a police investigation for comments made at a concert a 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 claiming they were being 'targeted for speaking up' after Avon and Somerset Police began its investigation. Formed in 2017, Bob Vylan are known for addressing political issues in their albums including racism, masculinity and class.
BreakingNews.ie
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
BBC ‘needs to get a grip quicker' after controversies such as Bob Vylan set
The BBC needs to 'get a grip quicker' and complete reports and investigations sooner following controversies such as the divisive set by punk rap duo Bob Vylan at Glastonbury, the head of the UK broadcasting regulator has said. The broadcaster apologised earlier this month for the group's 'deplorable behaviour' after frontman, Bobby Vylan, whose real name is reportedly Pascal Robinson-Foster, led crowds in chants of 'death, death to the IDF' (Israel Defence Forces) during their set at the festival which was shown live on TV and the iPlayer. Advertisement The BBC also said it will no longer broadcast live performances deemed 'high risk' – as Bob Vylan had been assessed – and its director of music, Lorna Clarke, also reportedly stepped back from her day-to-day duties. Ofcom chief executive Melanie Dawes said on Sunday there could be a risk that the public will lose confidence in the BBC after the regulator previously said the broadcaster has questions to answer over its Glastonbury coverage. Dame Melanie told BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: '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. '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. Advertisement '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.' Melanie Dawes made the comments on the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg (Jeff Overs/BBC/PA) The BBC has been approached for comment. Dame Melanie spoke ahead of a BBC review into the documentary Gaza: How To Survive A Warzone after it emerged its 13-year-old narrator was the son of a Hamas official. The corporation issued an apology after the Bob Vylan set at Glastonbury, saying: '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. Advertisement 'We are also unequivocal that there can be no place for antisemitism at, or on, the BBC. It said it was 'clear that errors were made' as it set out the timeline of the decisions made over its broadcast, adding: '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 livestreaming 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.' Advertisement Bob Vylan came under fire for chants during their performance on the West Holts Stage (Yui Mok/PA) 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. 'Any music performances deemed high risk will now not be broadcast live or streamed live.' The BBC has also promised to take action to 'ensure proper accountability' and issued an apology to viewers, especially the Jewish community. Avon and Somerset Police have also launched an investigation into comments made during the group's West Holts Stage performance. Advertisement The group was already under a police investigation for comments made at a concert a 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 claiming they were being 'targeted for speaking up' after Avon and Somerset Police began its investigation. Formed in 2017, Bob Vylan are known for addressing political issues in their albums, including racism, masculinity and class.
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
BBC ‘needs to get a grip quicker' after controversies such as Bob Vylan set
The BBC needs to 'get a grip quicker' and complete reports and investigations sooner following controversies such as the divisive set by punk rap duo Bob Vylan at Glastonbury, the head of the broadcasting regulator has said. The broadcaster apologised earlier this month for the group's 'deplorable behaviour' after frontman, Bobby Vylan, whose real name is reportedly Pascal Robinson-Foster, led crowds in chants of 'death, death to the IDF' (Israel Defence Forces) during their set at the festival which was shown live on TV and the iPlayer. The BBC also said it will no longer broadcast live performances deemed 'high risk' – as Bob Vylan had been assessed – and its director of music, Lorna Clarke, also reportedly stepped back from her day-to-day duties. Ofcom chief executive Melanie Dawes said on Sunday there could be a risk that the public will lose confidence in the BBC after the regulator previously said the broadcaster has questions to answer over its Glastonbury coverage. Dame Melanie told BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: '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. '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.' The BBC has been approached for comment. Dame Melanie spoke ahead of a BBC review into the documentary Gaza: How To Survive A Warzone after it emerged its 13-year-old narrator was the son of a Hamas official. The corporation issued an apology after the Bob Vylan set at Glastonbury, saying: '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 said it was 'clear that errors were made' as it set out the timeline of the decisions made over it broadcast, adding: '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 livestreaming 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.' 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. 'Any music performances deemed high risk will now not be broadcast live or streamed live.' The BBC has also promised to take action to 'ensure proper accountability' and issued an apology to viewers, especially the Jewish community. Avon and Somerset Police have also launched an investigation into comments made during the group's West Holts Stage performance. The group was already under a police investigation for comments made at a concert a 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 claiming they were being 'targeted for speaking up' after Avon and Somerset Police began its investigation. Formed in 2017, Bob Vylan are known for addressing political issues in their albums including racism, masculinity and class.
Extra.ie
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
BBC head of music steps down amid Glastonbury controversy
The BBC's Director of Music, Lorna Clarke, has stepped down from her responsibilities over the controversial broadcast of Bob Vylan's Glastonbury set, as reported by The Times . This follows a performance by UK punk duo Bob Vylan at Glastonbury Festival, where the group led the crowd in a chant of death, death to the IDF, with regard to Israeli Defence Forces. In a statement issued on Thursday, July 3, the BBC revealed that 'Bob Vylan was deemed high risk following a risk assessment process' but ultimately was deemed suitable to broadcast. This prior assessment was applied to all Glastonbury acts, with six other performances falling under the 'high-risk' category regarding live streaming. Calling the decision to broadcast Bob Vylan's performance 'an error,' 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.' Furthermore, the BBC emphasised 'that there can be no place for antisemitism at, or on, the BBC.' Now, Clarke has allegedly stepped down from her duties while an investigation takes place. Her role includes supervising six national popular and classical music networks, as well as Music Live Events, Music Television commissioning and the Visualisation team. According to reports, a small number of senior BBC employees have also withdrawn from their positions overseeing live events and music. As per their statement, the BBC said they will not be broadcasting 'any music performances deemed high risk' going forward. They have previously made the decision not to broadcast Kneecap's set at Glastonbury. Following the controversy, Bob Vylan was pulled from the lineup of Manchester's Radar Festival. The duo are currently under investigation by Avon and Somerset Police over their Saturday Glastonbury performance.
The Independent
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
BBC music head steps back from duties after Bob Vylan broadcast
The BBC 's director of music, Lorna Clarke, has reportedly stepped back from her day-to-day duties following controversy over the broadcaster's decision to show Bob Vylan 's Glastonbury Festival set live. The Times reported the move, which comes after singer Bobby Vylan led crowds in chants of "death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)" during the punk duo's Saturday afternoon set. In a statement on Thursday, the BBC admitted it had assessed the Ipswich-formed act as "high risk" before Glastonbury but initially deemed it suitable for live streaming. The corporation later stated this was "clearly not the case" and apologised for the group's "deplorable behaviour". Ms 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. A small group of other senior BBC staff responsible for music and live events are also said to have temporarily relinquished their roles. Following the incident, the BBC confirmed it would no longer live stream acts it deems 'high risk'. In a statement released on Thursday, the broadcaster 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.' Seven acts, including Bob Vylan, were deemed 'high risk' in the lead-up to Glastonbury, and all were 'deemed suitable for live streaming with appropriate mitigations', the statement said. '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.' The statement 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.' Since the performance, Avon and Somerset Police have launched an investigation into the comments made during Bob Vylan 's 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 – whose real name is reportedly Pascal Robinson-Foster, 34 – 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, and have been pulled from their Saturday headline slot at Radar festival in Manchester and from an upcoming performance at a German music venue. Bob Vylan are still 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.
