BBC leaves in racial slur but edits out "Free Palestine" at the BAFTAs

Video screenshot of Michael B. Jordan (left) and Delroy Lindo (right) presenting during the BAFTAs

The BBC faced widespread outrage after editing out “Free Palestine” from a BAFTA winner’s speech while airing a racial slur uncensored, in a very telling move about the broadcasters state censorship policies.

During the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards, filmmakers Akinola Davies Jr. and Wale Davies included the phrase “Free Palestine” in their acceptance speech. The BBC, airing the awards with a tape delay, chose to edit out the pro-Palestinian message.

In contrast, a member of the audience shouted a racial slur (the N-word) while actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage. Tourette's activist John Davidson was heard yelling the N-word during their presentation. This outburst was aired uncensored, generating anger and a subsequent apology from the BBC, who also removed portions from iPlayer after the incident.

As the Daily Mail noted one viewer said "So let me get this straight: There is a 2hr delay between the BAFTA event & the BBC airing it. In that time they managed to edit out a woman saying 'Free Palestine' but didn't edit out the man with Tourette's shouting the N word at 2 black people? Is that where we are?"

Filmmaker Akinola Davies Jr. won the BAFTA for outstanding British debut for My Father's Shadow.

Davies Jr. closed his speech by dedicating the award to 'all those whose parents migrated to obtain a better life for their children'.

He added: 'To the economic migrant. The conflict migrant. Those under occupation, dictatorship, persecution, and those experiencing genocide. You matter. Your stories matter more than ever. Your dreams are an act of resistance.

'To those watching at home, archive your loved ones. Archive your stories yesterday, today, and forever. For Nigeria, for London, the Congo, Sudan, free Palestine, thank you.'

This was edited out. Which