The director of the film I Swear has launched a scathing critique of the BBC's handling of a controversial incident at the Bafta Film Awards, where Tourette's activist John Davidson involuntarily shouted a racial slur during the live broadcast. The incident occurred while two Black actors, Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo, were on stage, igniting a fierce online debate about racism and the awards ceremony's response.
Director Kirk Jones Condemns Broadcasting Decision
Kirk Jones, the writer and director of I Swear, stated that John Davidson was "let down on many, many levels" by the events surrounding the Baftas. Jones specifically criticised the BBC for choosing to broadcast Davidson's tic, which involved a racial slur, arguing that this decision exacerbated the situation and led to widespread public knowledge and online circulation of the clip.
Impact on Bafta and Public Perception
Jones suggested that if the BBC had not aired the tic, Bafta could have managed the incident more discreetly. He proposed that a private apology to attendees might have prevented the controversy from escalating into a public and online debate. The film I Swear, which is inspired by Davidson's life, won two awards at the ceremony, including Best Actor for Robert Aramayo, adding a layer of complexity to the incident.
The controversy has raised important questions about media ethics, disability awareness, and racial sensitivity in live broadcasting. As the clip continues to circulate online, stakeholders are calling for a review of protocols to better handle such sensitive situations in the future.
