BBC controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2026
Afghan authorities suspend BBC radio broadcasts across Afghanistan
Ban or restriction
According to the broadcaster, as reported by Reuters, Afghan authorities have suspended BBC radio broadcasts across Afghanistan. The event was reported as a controversy involving the BBC, with the suspension affecting the broadcaster's radio services nationwide. No further details regarding the reasons, duration, or specific locations of the suspension were provided in the source.
Company response
Apology — BBC
"We apologise for this error."
Remediation — BBC
This was changed within minutes and we also deleted a tweet that had gone out automatically with the original headline,
Apology — BBC
The BBC responded with an apology and updated the online broadcast with the map of India reflecting the boundaries of Jammu and Kashmir in the standard format used by the news channel in the UK.
Remediation — BBC
The BBC responded with an apology and updated the online broadcast with the map of India reflecting the boundaries of Jammu and Kashmir in the standard format used by the news channel in the UK.
Source excerpt
Afghan authorities suspend BBC radio broadcasts across country, broadcaster says
"This was changed within minutes and we also deleted a tweet that had gone out automatically with the original headline," a statement issued by the BBC read.
The BBC has apologised for the original headline in its reporting of the death of the convicted murderer Phil Spector.
2026
Judge orders Trump to sit for deposition in BBC lawsuit
Ruling
A federal judge ordered Donald Trump to sit for a deposition by Dec. 11 in his defamation lawsuit against the BBC. The order came as the BBC's lawyers sought to depose him during discovery.
Source excerpt
A federal judge on Thursday ordered President Donald Trump to sit for a deposition in his $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC by Dec. 11.
The order from U.S. Magistrate Judge Enjoliqué Lett came as lawyers for the British broadcaster complained that Trump had delayed his appearance.
2023
Gary Lineker impartiality dispute
The BBC temporarily removed presenter Gary Lineker from Match of the Day after a social-media post was judged to raise questions under its impartiality rules. Other presenters and commentators withdrew from programming, creating substantial disruption before Lineker returned and the rules were reviewed.
2022
Ofcom launches investigation into BBC coverage
Investigation
Ofcom said it had launched an investigation into BBC coverage after reviewing the BBC's final response to complaints and finding that the matter raised issues under its due-accuracy rules.
Source excerpt
We consider it raises issues under our due accuracy rules and have launched an investigation.
BBC has come under fire for only having 30 seconds of coverage of more than a thousand protesters forcing the Home Office to release two men they had detained in a dawn raid.
The interview on the Today Programme with Ian Maxwell was about the family’s decision to appeal the verdict; he was robustly challenged and his arguments were critiqued directly afterwards by a barrister.
2021
BBC criticized over interview with lockdown-opposing academic
Public backlash
In January 2021, the BBC faced criticism for broadcasting an interview with an Oxford professor who opposed lockdowns and disputed the claim that a new Covid variant spread more quickly. The broadcaster was described as "grossly irresponsible" over the segment. The criticism centered on the decision to air the academic's views on lockdowns and on the transmissibility of the new variant. No further details about the interview, its participants, or any subsequent action were provided in the source.
The BBC was called “grossly irresponsible” for airing an interview with an Oxford professor who opposed lockdowns and disputed that the new Covid variant spread more quickly.
Source excerpt
THE BBC has been called 'grossly irresponsible' for airing an interview with an Oxford professor who opposes lockdowns and does not believe the new Covid variant spreads more quickly.
2021
Jem Stansfield sues BBC over crash-test experiment injuries
Lawsuit filed
Presenter Jem Stansfield sued the BBC, claiming he suffered injuries including whiplash, psychological scars, dizziness and brain damage after taking part in a crash experiment for a BBC science show. The BBC disputed the severity of his injuries in court.
Company response
Denial — BBC
BBC has not responded publicly to the lawsuit but is disputing the severity of the injuries in London’s High Court.
Source excerpt
He’s now suing the network, claiming whiplash, psychological scars, dizziness and brain damage, and “very poor” chances of recovery, The Sun reports.
BBC has not responded publicly to the lawsuit but is disputing the severity of the injuries in London’s High Court.
The BBC denies her claims and the tribunal continues.
2021
Patricia Larkin sues the BBC over asbestos exposure
Lawsuit filed
Patricia Larkin brought legal action against the BBC concerning the death of her husband, Christopher Larkin, from mesothelioma after he had worked at the BBC's Maida Vale studios. According to the reported account, the BBC had conceded liability for his death. The dispute centers on his exposure to asbestos at the studios and the broadcaster's responsibility for the resulting illness.
Patricia Larkin launched legal action against the BBC over the death of her husband, Christopher Larkin, from mesothelioma after he worked at the BBC's Maida Vale studios. The article also reports that the BBC had conceded liability for his death.
Source excerpt
The BBC has already conceded liability for his death and given documents to Leigh Day, the lawyers representing Patricia Larkin, which show that the studios were riddled with the dust.
Patricia Larkin has launched legal action over the death in April of her husband, Christopher, a horn player, from mesothelioma.
2021
BBC Bitesize faces criticism over climate-change resource
Public backlash
BBC Bitesize faced public criticism over a GCSE climate-change resource that listed positive as well as negative impacts of global warming. The BBC said it had reviewed the page and was amending the content to align with current curricula.
Company response
Remediation — BBC
We have reviewed the page and are amending the content to be in line with current curricula.
Source excerpt
A spokesperson for the BBC said: “We have reviewed the page and are amending the content to be in line with current curricula.”
THE BBC’s educational support resource has come under fire for teaching children about the “positive impacts” of global warming.
2021
BBC apologizes for broadcast images during Eriksen's emergency treatment
Company response
The BBC apologized after complaints that its coverage continued while Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen received emergency treatment during the Euro 2020 game against Finland. The BBC said it took its coverage off air as quickly as possible after the match was suspended.
Company response
Apology — BBC
The BBC has apologised following complaints that it continued to broadcast as Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen received emergency treatment during his countryâs Euro 2020 game against Finland.
Source excerpt
The BBC has apologised following complaints that it continued to broadcast as Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen received emergency treatment during his countryâs Euro 2020 game against Finland.
2021
Channel 5 News apologizes for revealing the winner early
Company response
Channel 5 News apologized after accidentally revealing the winner of BBC's Celebrity MasterChef before the programme had been broadcast.
Company response
Apology — Channel 5 News
Channel 5 News has issued an apology after mistakenly revealing the winner of Celebrity MasterChef before the programme had been broadcast on the BBC.
Source excerpt
A statement posted to Twitter by Channel 5’s News account said: “We would like to say sorry for mistakenly announcing the winner of BBC1’s Celebrity Masterchef before it was revealed on the programme tonight.
Channel 5 News has issued an apology after mistakenly revealing the winner of Celebrity MasterChef before the programme had been broadcast on the BBC.
2021
BBC faces criticism over Andrew Marr Show election-period lineup
Public backlash
The BBC faced criticism after The Andrew Marr Show featured representatives from Labour, the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats but no SNP representative in its final edition before the Scottish Parliament election. A BBC spokesperson said the programme had interviewed the SNP leader the previous week.
Company response
Clarification — BBC
Across the election period The Andrew Marr Show has featured interviews with the leaders of the larger five parties.
Source excerpt
A BBC spokesperson told The National: “Across the election period The Andrew Marr Show has featured interviews with the leaders of the larger five parties.
THE BBC has come under fire after The Andrew Marr Show had representatives from Labour, the Tories and LibDems on the final edition of the programme before the Scottish Parliament election on Thursday – but not the SNP.
2021
BBC cookery programme draws criticism over its description of Kashmir
Public backlash
After the BBC One programme “Recipes that Made Me: Kashmir” described the food as being from “Azad Kashmir in northern Pakistan” and showed a map placing it in Pakistan, viewers and a UK-based representative of the Jammu Kashmir Study Centre criticized the programme's portrayal. A BBC spokesperson said the series celebrated food from communities across the Indian subcontinent.
Source excerpt
Vinod Tikoo, who represents the Jammu Kashmir Study Centre in the UK, said: “The series talks about Kashmiri food from Pakistani occupied region of Jammu and Kashmir but the food and recipes shown are more mainstream Pakistani or from the Jammu region.
LONDON: The BBC is under fire after broadcasting a cookery show on Kashmiri cuisine that said the food is from “Azad Kashmir in northern Pakistan”.
A BBC spokesperson said: “‘Recipes that Made Me’ celebrated the food of a range of communities from the Indian subcontinent.”
2021
BBC apologizes and investigates impersonator interview
Company response
After an interview aired with a man impersonating US senator Cory Booker, the BBC issued a correction and apology, described the interview as appearing to be a deliberate hoax, and said it was looking into what went wrong.
Company response
Apology — BBC
The BBC has issued a correction and apology on its website for airing an interview with a man who claimed to be the US senator Cory Booker but was actually someone impersonating the Democratic politician from New Jersey.
Investigation — BBC
The UK’s public broadcasting service said that the interview appeared “to be a deliberate hoax” and that it had reached out with an apology to Booker and “are looking into what went wrong to make sure it doesn’t happen again”.
Source excerpt
The BBC has issued a correction and apology on its website for airing an interview with a man who claimed to be the US senator Cory Booker but was actually someone impersonating the Democratic politician from New Jersey.
The UK’s public broadcasting service said that the interview appeared “to be a deliberate hoax” and that it had reached out with an apology to Booker and “are looking into what went wrong to make sure it doesn’t happen again”.
An inquiry into the interview found that Bashir showed forged bank statements and lied to get the interview with Princess Diana
2021
BBC faces criticism over Woman’s Hour interview
Public backlash
More than 100 public figures signed an open letter criticising a BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour interview with Zara Mohammed as “strikingly hostile.” The letter said the questioning reinforced damaging and prejudicial tropes about Islam and Muslim women. The article also reports that the BBC removed the original tweet featuring a clip of the interview following complaints.
Company response
Remediation — BBC
The letter states that following complaints online and in private, the BBC removed the original tweet with a clip of Mohammed’s interview.
Source excerpt
The letter states that following complaints online and in private, the BBC removed the original tweet with a clip of Mohammed’s interview.
More than 100 public figures, including the Tory peer Sayeeda Warsi, the Labour MPs Diane Abbott and Naz Shah, and the comedian Deborah Frances-White, have signed an open letter to the BBC criticising Radio 4 Woman’s Hour “strikingly hostile” interview with Zara Mohammed, the first woman to lead the Muslim Council of Britain.
It claimed that the line of questioning in Mohammed’s interview reinforced “damaging and prejudicial tropes” about Islam and Muslim women.
2021
BBC apologizes and updates article after criticism of candidate description
Company response
After criticism of its description of Labour candidate Nicky Massey as a “working mum,” the BBC said it updated the article and apologized to her.
Company response
Apology — BBC
A BBC spokesperson said: “We have updated the article and apologised to the councillor.”
Remediation — BBC
The article was amended on Friday and the reference to Cllr Massey as a “working mum” was removed after criticism from the candidate and others online.
Source excerpt
The BBC has apologised after describing the Labour candidate standing to be Cambridgeshire’s next police and crime commissioner as a “working mum”.
A BBC spokesperson said: “We have updated the article and apologised to the councillor.”
The article was amended on Friday and the reference to Cllr Massey as a “working mum” was removed after criticism from the candidate and others online.
2021
BBC fined for contempt of court
Fine or penalty
A High Court ruling fined the BBC £28,000 for contempt of court after footage of an online hearing was included in a broadcast. The BBC had admitted the contempt and apologized.
Company response
Apology — BBC
The BBC offered an apology and admitted it was in contempt of court at a hearing in December
Remediation — BBC
The corporation took immediate steps to withdraw the footage and ensure there was no repetition of the events
Source excerpt
In a High Court ruling on Wednesday, two senior judges said the problem âcould and probably would have been avoidedâ if the BBC had taken more âproactive stepsâ to ensure journalists were aware of the rules.
The BBC has been fined £28,000 for contempt of court after footage of an online High Court hearing was included in a broadcast.
The BBC has been fined £28,000 for contempt of court after footage of an online High Court hearing was included in a broadcast.
2020
BBC and Samira Ahmed reach settlement after equal pay claim
Settlement
The BBC and presenter Samira Ahmed reached a settlement after Ahmed won her equal pay claim. An employment tribunal had ruled that the BBC failed to prove the pay disparity was due to a material factor that did not involve sex discrimination; the settlement figure was not disclosed.
Source excerpt
In last month’s hearing, employment Judge H Grewal and panel members Mr S Godecharle and Mr P Secher ruled unanimously that the BBC had failed to prove that the disparity between Ms Ahmed’s and Mr Vine’s salaries was "because of a material factor which did not involve subjecting the claimant to sex discrimination".
On Monday, the BBC said in a statement: “Samira Ahmed and the BBC are pleased to have reached a settlement following the recent tribunal.
Neither the BBC, Samira or the NUJ will be commenting further on this case.
2020
BBC apologizes for racial slur in news report
Company response
In a controversy noted in 2020, the BBC apologized after a news report used a racial slur. The broadcaster accepted that it should have taken a different approach in that instance and issued an apology. The BBC also said it would strengthen its guidance on offensive language. The controversy centered on the use of the slur in the report and the BBC's response to it, rather than on any other details.
The BBC accepted that it should have taken a different approach when a news report used a racial slur and apologized. It said it would strengthen guidance on offensive language.
Company response
Apology — BBC
The BBC now accepts that we should have taken a different approach at the time of broadcast and we are very sorry for that.
Remediation — BBC
We will now be strengthening our guidance on offensive language across our output.
Source excerpt
We will now be strengthening our guidance on offensive language across our output.
By Louise McCreeshPublished: 09 August 2020
The BBC now accepts that we should have taken a different approach at the time of broadcast and we are very sorry for that.
2020
BBC apologizes for footage error in Kobe Bryant coverage
Company response
The BBC apologized after mistakenly showing footage of LeBron James in one section of its coverage of Kobe Bryant's death. Viewers criticized the error online.
Company response
Apology — BBC
At the end of the bulletin, newsreader Reeta Chakrabarti apologised for the earlier on-screen error
Source excerpt
In the tribute broadcast as part of BBC News at Ten on the day of his death, some of the footage featured basketballer LeBron James, who recently surpassed Bryant's NBA record to become the third-highest scorer of all time.
In our coverage of the death of Kobe Bryant, in one section of the report, we mistakenly showed pictures of another basketball player, LeBron James. "We do apologise for the error."
At the end of the bulletin, newsreader Reeta Chakrabarti apologised for the earlier on-screen error saying: "In our coverage of the death of Kobe Bryant, in one section of the report, we mistakenly showed pictures of another basketball player, LeBron James.
2019
BBC apologises for outdated Remembrance Day footage
Company response
In a controversy noted on the BBC Brand Wiki, the BBC apologised after an out-of-date clip of Boris Johnson laying a wreath was played on BBC Breakfast. The broadcaster attributed the incident to a production mistake. The apology followed the broadcast of the outdated Remembrance Day footage.
The BBC apologised for playing an out-of-date clip of Boris Johnson laying a wreath on BBC Breakfast, attributing it to a production mistake.
Company response
Apology — BBC
The BBC has issued an apology for playing an out-of-date clip of Boris Johnson laying a wreath of poppies on BBC Breakfast, citing a "production mistake" as the cause.
Source excerpt
The BBC has issued an apology for playing an out-of-date clip of Boris Johnson laying a wreath of poppies on BBC Breakfast, citing a "production mistake" as the cause.