Ofcom’s chief executive, Dame Melanie Dawes, has stated that the BBC needs to expedite its responses to controversies, citing incidents such as the broadcast of Bob Vylan at Glastonbury.
Dame Melanie suggested the corporation had suffered “own goals” in its handling of the punk-rap duo’s performance last month, as well as a documentary about Gaza that was withdrawn in February.
During their Glastonbury set, Bob Vylan led a chant of “death, death to the IDF [Israel Defence Forces]” and made other contentious remarks.
The BBC has previously apologized to viewers, particularly within the Jewish community, and pledged to implement measures to “ensure proper accountability”.
Reports investigating both broadcasts are expected to be released shortly.
The review concerning the broadcast of Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone is due for publication next week, according to Dame Melanie. The BBC pulled the program after a connection surfaced between its 13-year-old narrator and Hamas.
Speaking on the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg program, Dame Melanie said: “It’s very frustrating that the BBC has had some own goals in this area, with the Gaza documentary and then with the Glastonbury coverage, and it does start to erode public trust and confidence.”
She added, “Above all what frustrates me and others, is that when these things go wrong it can take a long time for the BBC to see that something’s happened when everybody else was there within a matter of hours.”
“So I would say to the BBC I think they need to get a grip quicker, get these reports and investigations concluded sooner, otherwise there is a real risk of a sort of loss of confidence in the BBC, which is a shame.”
Regarding the review of the Gaza documentary, a BBC spokesperson stated that findings will be published as soon as possible, emphasizing, “It is vital that this work is done as quickly as possible, but it must also be thorough and follow a proper process.”
The BBC is also expected to address a series of questions regarding the Bob Vylan performance.
In a letter to Director General Tim Davie, the Commons culture, media and sport committee has requested an explanation by 14 July regarding the broadcast delays, staffing, decision-making processes, contingency plans, and subsequent steps.
The BBC has also announced that it will no longer broadcast live performances deemed “high risk” – as Bob Vylan had been assessed – and its director of music, Lorna Clarke, has reportedly stepped back from her day-to-day duties.
When asked on the program whether she had faith in the BBC leadership, Dame Melanie replied, “I think it is a tough job at the top of the BBC.”
“I think the [BBC] Board and senior team need to get a bit quicker at recognising when something has gone wrong and get a grip of the actions that they need to take or there is going to be a real risk that the BBC loses confidence in what it delivers for the public.”
“We are going to have to see over the next week, I think we are expecting the Gaza report early in the coming week. We have asked a lot of questions about the Glastonbury coverage, the BBC has got a lot on its plate that it needs to address.”
“I think it is important to also recognise that they do deliver a very high-quality job for the public usually, but it is these own goals that are very frustrating they need to be quicker to get on to, quicker to grip and quicker to put right.”
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander told the program the BBC needed “to do a rapid investigation of what has happened in relation to the Glastonbury incident”.
She said: “They need to do it thoroughly because at the end of the day the BBC needs to maintain the trust of its audience.”
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said Bob Vylan was “inciting violence and hatred” and suggested the BBC should be prosecuted for broadcasting the footage.
“There should be an investigation and if, in the police’s opinion, the Crown Prosecution Service’s opinion, there is a reasonable prospect of conviction then it should be taken to court.”
“That’s the right process and they should go through that, for sure. There’s no exemption just because it’s the BBC.”
This year’s series was reportedly filmed before co-host Gregg Wallace faced misconduct allegations.
The TV presenter was criticised after he appeared to link claims of misconduct to his autism diagnosis.
The comments come after 50 more people make fresh claims about the TV presenter.
The TV presenter has been the subject of an inquiry into alleged misconduct, to be published imminently.
Paul Tweed said outside court he “believed the case should have been settled”.