The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has released the findings of an independent investigation into a racial slur incident that occurred during this year’s awards ceremony.
The incident took place at the 79th BAFTA Awards in February, when an audience member with Tourette syndrome shouted a racial slur while actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage presenting an award. The moment was included in the BBC’s delayed broadcast before later being removed from online platforms.
The investigation, conducted by consultancy group RISE Associates, found that there were “structural weaknesses” in BAFTA’s planning, escalation procedures, and crisis management systems. However, it did not find any evidence of malicious intent by those involved in organising the event.
According to the report, early warning signs were not properly escalated, and the lack of a clear operational command structure limited BAFTA’s ability to respond effectively during the incident. It also highlighted broader challenges faced by organisations in balancing accessibility and inclusion with maintaining a safe and respectful environment.
The report concluded that the incident was not a result of institutional racism but rather shortcomings in planning and governance systems that had not kept pace with the complexity of modern live broadcasts.
BAFTA acknowledged the findings and said it is taking steps to improve its processes, including strengthening escalation procedures, enhancing communication systems, and adopting a more comprehensive approach to inclusion in event planning.
The organisation also issued a formal apology to affected communities, including the Black community and individuals with Tourette syndrome, acknowledging the distress caused by the incident.
Separately, the BBC conducted its own internal review and described the inclusion of the slur in its broadcast as “highly offensive” and a breach of editorial standards, though it said the error was unintentional. The broadcaster has pledged to improve its review and response systems for live and recorded content.
The audience member involved later stated that the outburst was involuntary due to Tourette syndrome and expressed regret over any distress caused.
The incident has sparked wider discussion about inclusion, accountability, and the challenges of managing live public events in a diverse and sensitive environment.
