Ofcom Says It Is Treating Bob Vylan Glastonbury Controversy 'As A Matter Of Urgency'

Bobby Vylan of Bob Vylan performing at Glastonbury on SaturdayTV watchdog Ofcom has responded to the controversy surrounding punk rap duo Bob Vylan’s set at Glastonbury over the weekend, which was streamed live on BBC iPlayer.On Saturday afternoon, the band made headlines when frontman Bobby Vylan led the crowd in a chant of “free Palestine”, before he began another chant of “death to the IDF”, referring to Israel’s army.Since then, UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer, the BBC and Glastonbury organisers have all spoken out to condemn the performer’s actions.Meanwhile, after Starmer raised his personal concerns about how Bob Vylan and the crowd’s chant came to be broadcast on the BBC, Ofcom has now made it clear that they also have questions.A statement from the media regulator published in Metro said: “We are very concerned about the live stream of this performance, and the BBC clearly has questions to answer.“We have been speaking to the BBC over the weekend and we are obtaining further information as a matter of urgency, including what procedures were in place to ensure compliance with its own editorial guidelines.”Typically, Ofcom does not deal with BBC matters, as the national broadcaster has its own complaints department, though it will intervene in what it deems to be “exceptional circumstances”.The BBC has since said in a statement: “Millions of people tuned in to enjoy Glastonbury this weekend across the BBC’s output but one performance within our livestreams included comments that were deeply offensive. The BBC respects freedom of expression but stands firmly against incitement to violence. The antisemitic sentiments expressed by Bob Vylan were utterly unacceptable and have no place on our airwaves. We welcome Glastonbury’s condemnation of the performance.“The performance was part of a live stream of the West Holts stage on BBC iPlayer. The judgment on Saturday to issue a warning on screen while streaming online was in line with our editorial guidelines. In addition, we took the decision not to make the performance available on demand. The team were dealing with a live situation but with hindsight we should have pulled the stream during the performance. We regret this did not happen.“In light of this weekend, we will look at our guidance around live events so we can be sure teams are clear on when it is acceptable to keep output on air.”Bob Vylan’s frontman spoke out for the first time on Sunday evening, in an Instagram post captioned: “I said what I said.”View this post on InstagramA post shared by Bob Vylan (@bobbyvylan)“As I lay in bed this morning, my phone buzzing non-stop, inundated with messages of both support and hatred, I listen to my daughter typing out loud as she fills out a school survey asking for her feedback on the current state of her school dinners,” he wrote. “She expressed that she would like healthier meals, more options and dishes inspired by other parts of the world.“Listening to her voice her opinions on a matter that she cares about and affects her daily, reminds me that we may not be doomed after all. Teaching our children to speak up for the change they want and need is the only way that we make this world a better place.“As we grow older and our fire possibly starts to dim under the suffocation of adult life and all its responsibilities, it is incredibly important that we encourage and inspire future generations to pick up the torch that was passed to us. Let us display to them loudly and visibly the right thing to do when we want and need change.“Let them see us marching in the streets, campaigning on ground level, organising online and shouting about it on any and every stage that we are offered. Today it is a change in school dinners, tomorrow it is a change in foreign policy.”MORE GLASTONBURY:17 Must-See Moments From This Year's Glastonbury That You Might Have MissedHere's What Actually Went Down When Kneecap Performed At GlastonburyKeir Starmer Demands BBC Explain How Bob Vylan 'Hate Speech' Was Broadcast

Comments

Breaking news

An ancient village in the Himalayas ran out of water. Then, it moved and started over

Independent

Comments

Similar News

BBC admits Bob Vylan mistake after Ofcom warning over Glastonbury live stream

BBC issued warning by Ofcom over Bob Vylan Glastonbury set as they demand answers

Ofcom launches BBC probe over Bob Vylan ‘death to the IDF’ Glastonbury chant

'Very concerned' Ofcom says BBC has 'questions to answer' after streaming anti-IDF chants at Glastonbury

BBC has questions to answer over Bob Vylan broadcast, says Ofcom

Britain's porn crackdown: Ofcom reveals the full list of adult sites you'll have to prove you're over-18 to access from next month

Adult content ban looms for UK adults as Ofcom announces new age checks

Good Morning Britain slapped with 318 Ofcom complaints after 'disgusting' blunder during ITV war report

ITV's Good Morning Britain flooded with 318 complaints to Ofcom over Israel map error

Vanessa Feltz's show slapped with whopping 1900 Ofcom complaints after guest brands breastfeeding 'weird and selfish' during 'uneducated' rant

Vanessa Feltz's show hit with 2000 Ofcom complaints over shock breastfeeding remark

Brits urged to check their broadband as Ofcom reveals best and worst providers

Britain's Got Talent final sparks MORE Ofcom complaints as Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon's 'revealing' dresses deemed 'too much for family viewing'

Breaking news

An ancient village in the Himalayas ran out of water. Then, it moved and started over

After screwworm scare, US-Mexico border set to reopen for cattle imports

The top photos of the day by AP's photojournalists

Hawaii's governor signs bills cracking down on illegal fireworks after deadly New Year's explosion

Photos at Canfield Mountain, Idaho, where firefighters came under deadly attack

What to know about Kohberger agreeing to plead guilty to murdering 4 University of Idaho students

Israeli PM to meet Donald Trump next week

More than 140 killed or injured in tailgating incidents each year

Best foods to improve children's attention at school

GP reveals how many drinks it takes to get a hangover - and when you're at risk

QUENTIN LETTS: Lisa flew into a prolonged riff tearing into Glastonbury and the BBC... Nandy was jammin'!

JEFF PRESTRIDGE: Rachel's raid on the tax-free Isa will plunge financial dagger into the hearts of millions

EDEN CONFIDENTIAL: Clarkson set to launch OnlyFarmers

Shocking moment girl under 10 drives car through village: Woman, 32, admits to allowing child behind the wheel

Avocado suites, a bullet hole in the dining car - and never more than 15 seconds late!: ROBERT HARDMAN reveals the secrets of the Royal Train

Oasis kick off rehearsals in Cardiff ahead of the first gig of their hotly-anticipated reunion tour after last-minute change

Children could be banned from social media for LIFE if they share classmates' nudes under new proposal

Father and daughter plucked from sea after cruise ship drama

Guilty plea expected over US student murders

Chris Mason: Labour still has a big persuasion job ahead

Elon Musk Promises a New Political Party if Republicans Pass Trump’s Policy Bill

California Rolls Back Its Landmark Environmental Law

In a blow to Milei, a US judge orders Argentina to turn over its majority stake in state oil company

Solar minigrid brings light and hope to a Goma neighborhood, offering blueprint for rest of Congo

Tinder is testing facial recognition for users as a new security feature

Ex-aide to New York governor pleads not guilty to new pandemic fraud charge

Woman recovers lottery ticket she threw away and ends up winning top prize

Researchers say they have a better way to measure weight than BMI

Inmate fatally shoots North Carolina officer before being caught in stolen vehicle, sheriff says

President Eric? Trump’s second son hints at a political dynasty

Trump says he’ll withhold money from New York if Mamdani becomes mayor

Four slain students, a weeks-long manhunt but no motive - Everything we know about the Idaho murders

Man to plead guilty to murdering four University of Idaho students

PM faces threat of major Labour rebellion as key vote on welfare reforms looms

Donald Macdonald dead: Tragedy as popular Play School presenter passes away

Glastonbury 'death to IDF' chant was run-by BBC boss Tim Davies as it happened, say sources

Queen Elizabeth II's blunt take on Meghan Markle laid bare in telling new memoirs

Carer seen 'violently degrading' frail old man on CCTV just days before he died

A-List Hollywood heartthrob is unrecognizable in long beard and wig in Project Hail Mary trailer

Justin Bieber and wife Hailey dance away their marital woes with united front at concert

Friends legend Jennifer Aniston kisses rival 90s sitcom star in picture

Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka perform TikTok dance routine on Wimbledon's Centre Court as top seeds show there are no hard feelings after fall-out from French Open final

Ed Miliband wants to build enough solar panels to cover area the size of West Midlands in next five years

Erin Patterson mushroom murder trial LIVE updates: Countdown to verdict as jury continues deliberations today

Julia Bradbury reveals heartbreaking response from her children when she shared her breast cancer diagnosis as she admits she 'didn't want to look at her scars' following surgery

Khloe Kardashian finally sets the record straight on EVERY cosmetic surgery she's ever had done

Post Malone SPLITS from girlfriend Christy Lee... amid custody battle with his ex-fiancee

MPs hail Mail's Stop The SAS Betrayal campaign to halt the hounding of Troubles veterans from witch hunts

Natalie Portman's rarely seen son, 13, calls in mom to impress YouTube star

Inbetweeners star James Buckley and his wife Clair 'stalked by woman at Essex home and feared they would be violently attacked'

Liam Payne given heartbreaking tribute at the start of new Netflix series Building The Band which was filmed before his tragic death

The firebrand plotting to turn Britain Green: He's been an Extinction Rebellion activist, a 'boob whisperer' hypnotist and an actor, now he wants to win over virtue-signalling voters

Traveller family who lived on Green Belt site owned by boxing champion Billy Joe Saunders for SEVEN years are handed legal injunction to finally move them on

Our 12-year-old son died while trying a trend he saw online... social media is to blame and someone needs to be held responsible

I booked the overnight ferry in Thailand - but was shocked when I saw my 'bed'

Harry and Meghan's right-hand man appears to extend an olive branch to two senior royal household staff including William's aide Jason Knauf who exposed Meghan Markle 'bullying' allegations

Heat waves are only going to get WORSE, warn scientists - and some cities could experience an extra MONTH of oppressive heat per year

I've spent my legal career defending grooming gang suspects. Now they are accused of using a different tactic to target young girls

Mother's plea after 11-day-old baby boy 'snatched at mall' in Cape Town

The truth about what happens to Britain's stolen cars: Map reveals smuggling routes used by gangs to sneak motors out of the UK - and where they finally end up