BBC defends decision to use N-word during news report

The BBC received complaints about a news report which aired last week
Jonathan Brady/PA Wire
David Child4 August 2020

The BBC has defended its decision to air a segment featuring a journalist using the N-word uncensored during a news report last week.

Responding to complaints about the report, the BBC defended its use of the racial slur but also accepted it had caused offence.

BBC social affairs correspondent Fiona Lamdin used the word during a report on a racially-motivated hit-and-run in Bristol for BBC Points West, which then later ran on the main BBC News Channel.

Ms Lamdin told viewers: “Just to warn you, you are about to hear highly offensive language. Because as the men ran away they hurled racial abuse, calling him a n*****.”

The clip was quickly picked up on by social media users, with critics questioning who at the BBC had decided it was suitable to air the word and why.

The segment reportedly received more than 280 Ofcom complaints and the BBC has now responded to the backlash in a statement issued on Tuesday.

The broadcaster said it had listened to “what people have had to say about the use of the word” in an “important piece of journalism about a shocking incident”.

It said: "It was originally reported by some as a hit and run, but investigations indicated that racist language was used at the scene and it was then treated by the police as a racially aggravated attack.

"The victim’s family were anxious the incident should be seen and understood by the wider public.

"It's for this reason they asked us specifically to show the photos of this man's injuries and were also determined that we should report the racist language, in full, alleged to have been spoken by the occupants of the car.

"Notwithstanding the family's wishes, we independently considered whether the use of the word was editorially justified given the context.

"The word is used on-air rarely, and in this case, as with all cases, the decision to use it in full was made by a team of people including a number of senior editorial figures."

The BBC said it accepted the use of the word had "caused offence", but added it "would like people to understand why we took the decision we did".

"The decision to use the word was not taken lightly and without considerable detailed thought: we were aware that it would cause offence," the statement said.

"But, in this specific context we felt the need to explain, and report, not just the injuries but, given their alleged extreme nature, the words alleged to have been used - a position which, as we have said, was supported by the family and the victim.

"We believe we gave adequate warnings that upsetting images and language would be used and we will continue to pursue this story."

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