BBC edit out section of pro-Palestine speech at the BAFTAs

The BBC has edited out a part of a BAFTA acceptance speech that expressed support for Palestine. The speech in question was given by brothers Wale Davies and Akinola Davies Jr, who were awarded the BAFTA Film Award for Outstanding British Debut on Sunday night for their film, My Father’s Shadow.

“To the economic migrant, the conflict migrant, those under occupation, dictatorship, persecution, and those experiencing genocide: You matter,” said Davies Jr in his acceptance speech. “Your stories are more important 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."

The final words "free Palestine" were cut from the broadcast, which aired two hours after the events. While acceptance speeches are edited, the BBC stated it aims to preserve the core message of the winner's remarks. BAFTA guidelines allow winners the freedom to express themselves as they choose on stage.

“The live event is three hours, and it has to be reduced to two hours for its on-air slot,” said a BBC spokesperson. “The same happened to other speeches made during the night and all edits were made to ensure the programme was delivered on time. All winners’ speeches will be available to watch via Bafta’s YouTube channel.”

The broadcast did not censor a racist slur, uttered as a tic by Tourette's campaigner John Davidson during a speech by Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo. The BBC has since apologized for their handling of the situation.

“Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the Bafta film awards, "said the statement from the BBC. “This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and as explained during the ceremony it was not intentional. We apologies that this was not edited out prior to broadcast and it will now be removed from the version on BBC iPlayer”

Last year, the BBC cut a joke David Tennant made about Donald Trump from the BAFTA Film Awards.