A collective of over 100 black professionals have penned an open letter urging people to boycott the BBC in the wake of the recent use of the n-word in multiple broadcasts.
The BBC received over 18,000 complaints when white historian Lucy Worsley used the offensive term just three days after social affairs correspondent Fiona Lamdin.
Now a group of over 100 British women from African and Caribbean descent are arguing the broadcaster should dismiss the BBC’s Director of Editorial Policy & Standards, David Jordan and the Director of News Fran Unsworth, because they ‘sanctioned’ use of the racial slur.
The InfluencHers have called for allies around the world to participate in a 24-hour boycott of all BBC services on Wednesday 19 August, explaining the use of the N-word ‘could constitute a race hate crime‘.
Over 100 black professionals in the UK have signed an open letter calling for allies to boycott the BBC for 24 hours because of the recent use of the n-word (Pictured: Fiona Lamdin used the offensive term during a report on an unprovoked racist attack on a healthcare worker)
Speaking directly to the organisation, InfluencHers wrote: ‘On reflection, the eventual apology made by the outgoing BBC Director-General Tony Hall on 9th August 2020, is just the beginning and not the end of this N-word controversy.
‘Sadly, it does not go far enough. It only addresses the use of the word, not the subsequent defence of its use.
‘This is unacceptable when you consider the damage that it has caused.’
The group argued use of the n-word exacerbates trauma experienced by thousands of BBC viewers and violates the dignity of the BBC’s black employees.
InfluencHers argued that an apology from the organisation that came days after the n-word was used on multiple occasions isn’t enough. Pictured: Historian Lucy Worsley using the n-word on BBC Two’s American History’s Biggest Fibs
The initiative add that ‘editorial justification does not outweigh the offence’, because broadcasters could’ve said ‘the n-word’ to convey their point without explicitly stating the racial slur.
InfluenceHers went on to note multiple opportunities for the BBC to be reformed, including when a complaint was made against BBC Breakfast presenter Naga Munchetty, and, most recently, following the killing of George Floyd in the US.
InfluencHers said: ‘It is widely known that during this time BBC staff spoke of their concerns about racism within the corporation.
‘Once more, promises were made, but it appears that the small circle of white group think decision-makers remains. There is an urgent need for reform.’
InfluencHers have called for the BBC’s Director of Editorial Policy & Standards David Jordan (pictured left) and the Director of News Fran Unsworth (pictured right), to be dismissed because they ‘sanctioned’ use of the racial slur
‘It took over 18,000 complaints from the public, complaints from staff and the resignation of BBC 1Xtra’s broadcaster Sideman aka David Whitely before an apology was made 11 days later on Sunday 9th August by the Director General Tony Hall.’
The group suggested the BBC should have an independent organisation with a proven track record on race issues that they consult for all issues regarding race at the BBC.
A stream of social media users have shown support for the open letter and added that the boycott would be most effective if people stopped paying their TV license.
Posting on Instagram, one person wrote: ‘Boycott BBC for the whole of August.’
BBC 1Xtra’s broadcaster Sideman (pictured) announced that he was quitting his role at the organisation because of the use of the racist term
‘Everyone should just stop paying their TV license and watch this cooperation start cooperating. 24 hours isn’t gonna do s*** to a company you’ve already paid a subscription for,’ another said.
A third added: ‘Cancel all your TV license direct debits now’
During a report earlier this month on a suspected racially-motivated attack in Bristol, social affairs correspondent Fiona Lamdin repeated a racial slur which was allegedly used during the incident.
Days later, viewers reacted with outrage after a TV historian became the second white BBC presenter to say the n-word in three days.
A flood of Instagram users have shown support for the boycott but said it may be necessary to stop paying TV licenses to achieve change
American History’s Biggest Fibs presented by Lucy Worsley was aired on Saturday night on BBC Two and is about the history of slavery.
It was uttered with historian Lucy Worsley covers a speech by US President Abraham Lincoln who in 1865 said that black people should be given the right to vote.
BBC 1Xtra presenter Sideman quit after the broadcaster defended its decision to air footage of Fiona saying the word.
A BBC spokesperson said : ‘As the Director General said at the weekend, the BBC accepts that it should have taken a different approach at the time of broadcast and that we are very sorry for that. We also said we will now strengthen our guidance on offensive language across our output. That’s absolutely what we are doing.’