News
BBC amend article suggesting victims of Oxford street antisemitism used racial slurs
The teens were harassed in central London earlier this week
December 3, 2021 17:02
The teens were harassed in central London earlier this week
December 3, 2021 17:02 The BBC has changed an article on its website suggesting that the Jewish victims of the now-viral Oxford Street antisemitism incident used anti-Muslim racial slurs.
The original piece stated that “some racial slurs can be heard from inside the bus.”
When approached for comment, a BBC spokesperson said: “The article is about the police’s appeal for information. The main focus is the actions of the individuals the police want to identify. The audio appears to show that a slur can be heard coming from the bus. We have changed our story to clarify only one such slur can be heard clearly.”
Video has emerged of a group of men spitting at a bus full of Jewish teenagers in Oxford Street where the group were celebrating the first night of Chanukah. pic.twitter.com/orOrA9kJEu
— The Jewish Chronicle (@JewishChron) December 1, 2021
A sound and audio professional contacted by the JC said he was unable to distinguish the alleged slur saying: “I think even a audio forensic specialist would struggle to get something useful [from the clip] ”]
In response to the BBC story, the Board of Deputies said: “It appears that the BBC has a very serious case to answer here. Incorrectly accusing those experiencing antisemitism of being guilty of bigotry themselves is adding insult to injury.”
It appears that the BBC has a very serious case to answer here. Incorrectly accusing those experiencing antisemitism of being guilty of bigotry themselves is adding insult to injury. https://t.co/N6en7kq62v
— Board of Deputies of British Jews (@BoardofDeputies) December 3, 2021
A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism claimed: “The audio from the footage is completely indistinct. If someone was shouting abuse from inside the bus then of course it should be investigated, but we cannot discern any voice in the video saying what the BBC claim was said.
The footage shows a bus containing members of the Jewish community — most of them children — on their way to a Chanukah celebration coming under attack from a group of men who are clearly shouting, spitting, hitting the bus with their hands and shoes, and even repeatedly raising an arm in a gesture that appears to be a Nazi salute.
If the BBC used the same audio that we heard, then they must immediately investigate how this allegation came to be made and report the results publicly.”