News
September 14, 2025
Dame Caroline Dinenage questions BBC chief’s future in heated session
Since they last appeared before the committee in March, the BBC has been accused of airing antisemitic chants at Glastonbury.
**Dame Caroline Dinenage questions BBC chief’s future in heated session**
Dame Caroline Dinenage, Chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, has publicly questioned the suitability of the BBC's Director-General to remain in post, following accusations of antisemitic chanting being broadcast during the corporation's coverage of the Glastonbury Festival. The tense exchange occurred during a committee hearing, marking a significant escalation in scrutiny of the BBC’s handling of the controversial incident.
The committee session, intended to review the BBC's overall performance and future strategy, quickly became dominated by the fallout from the Glastonbury controversy. Dinenage pressed the Director-General on what steps were being taken to address the concerns and prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. She specifically inquired about the vetting process for live broadcasts and the training provided to staff regarding antisemitism and other forms of hate speech.
Sources present at the hearing described the atmosphere as "highly charged," with Dinenage repeatedly challenging the Director-General's responses. While details of the specific chants remain under wraps due to ongoing investigations, their broadcast has sparked widespread condemnation from Jewish community leaders and anti-racism campaigners, who argue that the BBC has a responsibility to ensure its platforms are not used to amplify hate speech.
The committee's questioning focused not only on the immediate aftermath of the Glastonbury incident but also on the broader implications for the BBC's impartiality and commitment to tackling antisemitism. Dinenage emphasized the importance of maintaining public trust in the BBC, particularly amongst minority communities. She raised concerns about the potential for a perceived lack of accountability to damage the corporation's reputation and erode confidence in its editorial standards.
The exchange highlights the growing pressure on the BBC to demonstrate its commitment to combating antisemitism and ensuring accurate and responsible reporting across all its platforms. The committee is expected to publish a full report on the session, including recommendations for strengthening the BBC's policies and procedures, in the coming weeks. The future of the Director-General remains uncertain, with many speculating that the committee's findings could have significant consequences for his leadership.
Dame Caroline Dinenage, Chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, has publicly questioned the suitability of the BBC's Director-General to remain in post, following accusations of antisemitic chanting being broadcast during the corporation's coverage of the Glastonbury Festival. The tense exchange occurred during a committee hearing, marking a significant escalation in scrutiny of the BBC’s handling of the controversial incident.
The committee session, intended to review the BBC's overall performance and future strategy, quickly became dominated by the fallout from the Glastonbury controversy. Dinenage pressed the Director-General on what steps were being taken to address the concerns and prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. She specifically inquired about the vetting process for live broadcasts and the training provided to staff regarding antisemitism and other forms of hate speech.
Sources present at the hearing described the atmosphere as "highly charged," with Dinenage repeatedly challenging the Director-General's responses. While details of the specific chants remain under wraps due to ongoing investigations, their broadcast has sparked widespread condemnation from Jewish community leaders and anti-racism campaigners, who argue that the BBC has a responsibility to ensure its platforms are not used to amplify hate speech.
The committee's questioning focused not only on the immediate aftermath of the Glastonbury incident but also on the broader implications for the BBC's impartiality and commitment to tackling antisemitism. Dinenage emphasized the importance of maintaining public trust in the BBC, particularly amongst minority communities. She raised concerns about the potential for a perceived lack of accountability to damage the corporation's reputation and erode confidence in its editorial standards.
The exchange highlights the growing pressure on the BBC to demonstrate its commitment to combating antisemitism and ensuring accurate and responsible reporting across all its platforms. The committee is expected to publish a full report on the session, including recommendations for strengthening the BBC's policies and procedures, in the coming weeks. The future of the Director-General remains uncertain, with many speculating that the committee's findings could have significant consequences for his leadership.
Category:
Politics