BBC ‘bans Black Lives Matter badges’ after campaign accused of ‘hijacking’ George Floyd’s death for political reasons
THE BBC has reportedly told staff and guests not to wear the Black Lives Matter badge.
The Telegraph reports it comes after the campaign was accused of “hijacking” George Floyds death for political reasons.
Senior sources have told the newspaper bosses have decided to stop presenters to stop wearing the “visual symbols of support”.
They added: “The BBC cannot be seen to support any kind of cause over another, and Black Lives Matter is certainly a campaign,” the BBC source said.
“Therefore we wouldn’t want anyone on-screen to be wearing visual symbols of support.
“Our presenters and guests can discuss Black Lives Matter, and we’ve reported on it in depth. We’re not impartial about racism.
“But wearing badges on screen – just as with any other campaign – would be a step too far.”
The Sun Online has gone to the BBC for comment.
This week the group has been embroiled in a row as they were criticised of using the movement in the UK to promote political views.
The UK arm has come under recent scrutiny after it shared tweets about the Israel-Palestine conflict and defunding the police.
‘A STEP TOO FAR’
But Jewish groups and human rights campaigners hit back, saying the anti-racism group’s tweets were “failings”.
Following this, some Sky Sports pundits chose to stop wearing the pin – with Matt Le Tissier publically saying he didn’t want to show support for the “far-left”.
The 51-year-old pundit said: “I just don’t agree with some of the points of that movement – specifically the defunding of the police and the anti capitalist points are things I do not agree with.
“They are the two main points for me. I am quite happy for them to have their point of view, but that is mine and that is where I sit.
Sky Sports said pundits and hosts were able to make their own decisions about wearing Black Lives Matter badges.
Last night Rio Ferdinand, Ashley Cole and Martin Keown kept on Black Lives Matter badges.
Their decision came after fellow pundit Jamie Redknapp ditched his BLM badge in the wake of the controversial tweets.
I just don’t agree with some of the points of that movement – specifically the defunding of the police and the anti capitalist points are things I do not agree with.
Matt Le Tissier
And Black Lives Matter’s adoption of the slogan “defund the police” in particular has caused controversy over the aim to “dismantle capitalism”.
One of BLM’s biggest demands is that police forces are disbanded and their funds redirected into youth and mental health services.
Since the Premier League returned after lockdown on June 17, players have knelt before kickoff and had Black Lives Matter patches on their sleeves.
But the Premier League now appear to have distanced themselves from the movement.
Yesterday it said it recognised “the importance of the message that black lives matter” but said it “does not endorse any political organisation or movement, nor support any group that calls for violence or condones illegal activity”.
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And Tottenham Hotspurs has also reportedly become the first club to publicly break with the movement over the tweets.
The Black Lives Matter movement was thrust into the spotlight after the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis on May 25.
A video of his killing showing a white police officer kneeling on Floyd’s neck as he gasped “I can’t breathe” went viral and sparked worldwide protests.