Bafta fell short in duty of care when racial slur was shouted, review finds

Incident Overview

In February, a racial slur was inadvertently uttered during the film awards ceremony, prompting an independent assessment of Bafta’s handling of the situation. The incident occurred when John Davidson, a Tourette’s advocate, unintentionally shouted the n-word while two Black actors, Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo, were on stage. The review concluded that Bafta’s response to the event did not fully meet its obligations to attendees, members, and viewers, though no intent to harm was detected.

Bafta’s Response

Bafta acknowledged the incident in a statement, stating that its preparations for live events had not “sufficiently anticipated the potential impact of such an occurrence.” The organization emphasized that the moment was intended as a celebration, yet it was “diminished and overshadowed” by the outburst. They also noted efforts to directly apologize to those affected and expressed commitment to improving their processes to prevent recurrence.

Independent Review Findings

The review conducted by Rise Associates highlighted “structural weaknesses” in Bafta’s event planning, communication protocols, and crisis management. While the organization accepted the findings, it stressed that the event did not reflect “institutional racism,” which requires systemic bias rather than individual actions. The report noted the incident showcased a complex interplay between disability, language use, and broadcast risks, underscoring the challenge of maintaining both inclusivity and respect during live events.

Quotes from Involved Parties

“The intent behind them [the tics] is zero. What you’re hearing is a symptom—not my character, not my thought, not my belief,” said John Davidson in an interview with Variety. He added that Tourette’s can trigger “spiteful” reactions, often selecting the most upsetting words for him personally and others around him.

Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo, who were presenting an award during the incident, shared their experience with Vanity Fair. Lindo noted they “did what we had to do” to continue the ceremony but expressed a wish that “someone from Bafta spoke to us afterward.”

Broader Implications

The BBC’s investigation into the incident preceded the release of the Bafta review, finding that the broadcast violated its editorial standards despite lacking intentional malice. The review also emphasized the need to balance accessibility for participants with the protection of others’ dignity and safety. Bafta confirmed it is implementing changes based on the recommendations to address gaps in its risk management systems.