The BBC has come under fresh scrutiny after broadcasting a racial slur during two Newsbeat bulletins on Monday, just weeks after facing backlash for allowing the same term to air during its edited coverage of the BAFTA Awards.
The broadcaster used a track by American rapper Childish Gambino, the pseudonym of actor Donald Glover, to accompany news items about the children's film The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. However, the song's lyrics contained the N-word, which was heard by listeners during the 12:45pm and 5:45pm bulletins.
Glover, who voices a character in the film alongside Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jack Black, and Brie Larson, was the subject of the news report. Newsbeat, tailored for younger audiences, airs across BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra, and Asian Network.
A BBC spokesperson apologized, stating: 'We are very sorry this was broadcast. We should not have included this clip in this news report, and we removed the clip from Sounds when we realised the error.' The spokesperson added that the wrong version of the song was selected and the correct process was not followed, with senior editors informed and the team reminded of proper procedures.
The incident follows a similar controversy at the BAFTA Awards, where disability campaigner John Davidson, who has Tourette's syndrome, shouted the N-word during the ceremony. Despite the outburst not being broadcast live, the BBC failed to edit it out of the recorded coverage, drawing widespread criticism.
Davidson, 54, later apologized for any pain caused, emphasizing that his involuntary tics do not reflect his personal beliefs. He also questioned why he was seated near a microphone, given his condition. The BBC has not commented further on the latest gaffe.
