Home / Arts and Entertainment / BAFTA Broadcast Cuts Speech on Migrant Stories
BAFTA Broadcast Cuts Speech on Migrant Stories
23 Feb
Summary
- Award winner's powerful speech on migrants was edited out.
- The BBC removed parts of the speech that mentioned specific regions.
- The broadcaster cited time constraints for the edit.
An award winner's impactful acceptance speech, which championed the stories of migrants and those facing adversity, was notably omitted from the BBC's broadcast of the event. The original address dedicated an award to individuals whose parents migrated for a better life, including economic migrants, those displaced by conflict, and victims of persecution.
The excised segment specifically highlighted the importance of archiving loved ones and stories, with dedications extending to "Nigeria, for London, the Congo, Sudan, free Palestine." This deliberate removal contrasts with the broadcast version, which focused solely on familial thanks.
A spokesperson for the BBC explained that the edits were necessary to fit the three-hour live event into a two-hour broadcast slot. They clarified that similar reductions were applied to other speeches and that the complete versions would be accessible on BAFTA's official YouTube channel. Preparations had reportedly been made by the BBC to manage potentially politically charged speeches, following a past incident involving Glastonbury Festival.
The decision to edit the speech has drawn attention, particularly given the context of previous concerns about politically charged content being broadcast. The full, unedited speeches are expected to be available online, offering viewers the complete message.
