The BBC has said that it will no longer be broadcasting performances it considers “high risk” following Bob Vylan’s divisive set at Glastonbury.
The duo’s controversial performance took place at Worthy Farm last Saturday (June 28), and saw them voice their support for Palestine, as well as call out the BBC, Israel, the US and UK governments.
They projected a message reading “Free Palestine – United Nations have called it a genocide – the BBC calls it a ‘conflict’” onto the screen behind them, and also led chants of both “free, free Palestine” and “death, death to the IDF [Israel Defence Forces]”.
Now, the BBC has shared a statement, saying that it has decided to no longer share broadcasts of “high-risk” performances.
In a note to BBC staff, Director-General Tim Davie said: “I deeply regret that such offensive and deplorable behaviour appeared on the BBC and want to say sorry – to our audience and to all of you, but in particular to Jewish colleagues and the Jewish community.
“We are unequivocal that there can be no place for anti-Semitism at the BBC. I and everyone need to ensure that the BBC is a role model for inclusivity and tolerance and we all have a part to play. We are utterly committed to creating an environment where everyone is supported and can do their very best work.”
In an official statement from the BBC regarding the Bob Vylan slot, the broadcaster stated that it wanted to “apologise to our viewers and listeners and in particular the Jewish community,” and was adamant that “there can be no place for anti-Semitism at, or on, the BBC.”
It added that there were “errors made both in the lead-up to and during Bob Vylan’s appearance”. These included the decision to live stream their set despite them being one of seven acts deemed “high risk”, the presumption that “compliance risks could be mitigated in real time on the live stream”, and the decision not to cut the broadcast when things escalated.
In the changes it will implement going forward, the BBC has said it will not allow “any music performances deemed high risk to be broadcast live or streamed live”.
It also said that in the future, “editorial policy support will always be available on site at major music festivals and events, to improve compliance processes and the speed of available advice”, and that it will “provide more detailed, practical guidance on the threshold for withdrawing a live stream.”
A new statement was shared by Chair of the BBC, Samir Shah, too, which read: “I’d like first of all to apologise to all our viewers and listeners and particularly the Jewish community for allowing the ‘artist’ Bob Vylan to express unconscionable anti-Semitic views live on the BBC.
“This was unquestionably an error of judgement. I was very pleased to note that as soon as this came to the notice of Tim Davie – who was on the Glastonbury site at the time visiting BBC staff – he took immediate action and instructed the team to withdraw the performance from on demand coverage.”
Shah continued: “The BBC Board met on Tuesday to hear what actions will now be taken. The Executive have agreed to put in place a set of strengthened editorial practices and policies for live music programming. These will be important measures to safeguard future live broadcasts from a failure such as this.
“I am satisfied that the Executive is initiating a process to ensure proper accountability for those found to be responsible for the failings in this incident.
“While it is important that the process is carried out fairly and correctly, it is equally important that the Executive takes decisive action. The Board fully supports the Director-General and the swift actions taken by him and his team to identify these errors and address them.”
BBC admits Bob Vylan deemed “high risk” before Glastonbury and promises accountability for failures https://t.co/8t3izdf63v
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) July 3, 2025
After Bob Vylan’s set, Glastonbury organisers issued a statement, saying it was “appalled” by their “death to the IDF” chants, and further backlash came from Cabinet minister Wes Streeting, and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy – who said that the BBC’s decision to broadcast the performance shows “a problem of leadership”.
Elsewhere, US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau described the actions as a “hateful tirade” and confirmed that the band have had their US visas revoked as a result.
Bob Vylan have reportedly been dropped by their agent United Talent Agency (UTA) following the on-stage actions, Somerset police have launched “a criminal investigation” into the set, and they have been removed from shows in Manchester, Cologne, and Gisors (France).
Manchester’s Radar Festival have said that they were put under pressure to take the group off the bill, but reaffirmed that they were very reluctant to do so.
The duo have spoken out to defend their Worthy Farm set twice now; both saying it is vital to “teach our children to speak up for the change they want”, and reiterating that they are wanting the “dismantling of a violent military machine”, not calling for “the death of Jews or Arabs or any other race or group”.
Massive Attack have shown their support for Bob Vylan amid the furore as well, and urged the media to centre their attention towards “what is happening daily to the people of Gaza”, rather than focusing on the artists speaking out.
Lambrini Girls, Amyl And The Sniffers and Soft Play have also shared their backing for the band, with the latter sharing a statement that read: “Again, the media is trying to distract you from the real story. The outrage sparked […] is merely a smoke screen for the lack of reporting on the destruction of the Palestinian people. They are starving children, where is the media’s outrage at Israel’s continued obliteration of a whole nation?”
