As started by The Hollywood Reporter, the BAFTA Film Awards have decided to further improve future escalation procedures after John Davidson (That’s Incredible!, The Girl With Something Extra) said a racial slur due to a Tourettes’ vocal tic. The incident occurred during the 79th British Academy Film Awards after Delroy Lindo (Malcom X, Gone in 60 Seconds) and Michael B. Jordan (Sinners, Black Panther) received an award for best special effects, causing Davidson to say the N-word. 

The public has also questioned the BBC and how they allowed the incident to air even after having a two hour delay. There was also breaking news that the BBC had a breach in the editorial standards of the broadcaster. 

A review written by the BAFTA board and executed by RISE Associations addressed what occurred and the improvements that will occur. The review was sent to THR, which took full accountability for the British Academy’s organization and emergency management, stating “a number of structural weaknesses.” 

The BAFTA board stated in a note, “However, it did not find evidence of malicious intent on the part of those involved in delivering the event. We accept its conclusions in full.”

The board further apologizes for the marginalized communities affected by the event that occurred, “We apologize unreservedly to the Black community, for whom the racist language used carries real pain, brutality, and trauma; to the disability community, including people with Tourette Syndrome, for whom this incident has led to unfair judgement, stigma, and distress; and to all our members, guests at the ceremony and those watching at home. What was supposed to be a moment of celebration was diminished and overshadowed.”

“We have written to those directly impacted on the night to apologize.” The statement continued. 

Improvements during the BAFTA award events have already been in place such as offering support during ceremonies, working on the crisis process, processing for delivering information and informing when they are uneducated in a cultural topic that “may prevent BAFTA from meeting its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion across all our work.” The BBC also takes accountability to prevent the mistakes and further improves live broadcasting, iPlayer takedown processes and event coordination.