In a significant move to address internal concerns, the outgoing director-general of the BBC, Tim Davie, has issued a compulsory directive for all corporation staff to undertake a new training course on antisemitism. This mandate follows intense pressure from more than 200 Jewish staff, contractors, and contributors who accused the BBC's Board of ignoring their pleas for an investigation into alleged anti-Jewish bias.
Compulsory Training to Combat Prejudice
In a communication to staff on Wednesday, the 58-year-old director-general stated that the BBC must stand united against discrimination. All employees have been given a six-month window to complete the new e-learning module, which became available immediately. A separate module addressing Islamophobia is being finalised and is scheduled for launch in February 2025.
Mr Davie emphasised that the BBC is an organisation for everyone, and ensuring all staff feel they belong is paramount. He expressed confidence that everyone would commit to the training, helping the BBC become a role model for an inclusive workplace. This initiative comes from the BBC Academy, which developed the course in collaboration with the Jewish Staff Network, the Antisemitism Policy Trust, and the Community Security Trust.
Background: Staff Accusations and 'Hollow Words'
The training order is a direct response to a prolonged campaign by Jewish individuals connected to the broadcaster. In July 2024, over 200 signatories wrote to BBC chairman Samir Shah demanding an urgent formal investigation into what they described as 'systemic problems of anti-Semitism and bias' and management's failure to act.
The letter was accompanied by a damning report titled 'Being Jewish and working at the BBC', which contained testimonies alleging the corporation was no longer a safe space for Jewish people. After receiving what they felt was no substantive action for over a year, the group wrote again last month, accusing the Board of offering 'words not action' and of ignoring, gaslighting, and smearing them.
A representative for the signatories told the Mail that the BBC's failure to address this issue constituted racism and a shameful breach of its values, stating this would never happen to any other minority.
Political Repercussions and the Licence Fee Debate
The controversy has drawn sharp criticism from political figures. Leader of the Opposition, Kemi Badenoch, labelled the situation a 'shameful failure of leadership' and called on the BBC Board to intervene to restore public trust. Meanwhile, Reform UK honorary president Nigel Farage suggested the escalating allegations of bias have placed the future of the television licence fee in serious doubt.
Tim Davie, who announced his resignation last month following an impartiality row, will remain in post until a successor is found. The new training module explicitly states that antisemitism has no place at the BBC and that it is compulsory for all staff, with completion data shared with managers. New joiners will have 28 days to complete it.
The BBC hopes this structured training, which includes real-world examples, will provide a framework for staff to identify and challenge antisemitism, marking a concrete step towards accountability after a period of severe internal criticism.
