The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards have drawn more attention for an on-stage incident than for the winners themselves. The controversy began when an offensive racial slur was shouted from the audience while actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting.
After BAFTA and the BBC issued apologies for the slur being heard during the ceremony, Google also apologised for using the term in a push notification about the incident.
Content creator Danny Price highlighted on Tuesday that Google had sent a news alert to users which included the offensive term while promoting coverage of the controversy. The notification reportedly read: “See more on (N-word).”
Responding to media queries, a Google spokesperson said: “We’re very sorry for this mistake. We’ve removed the offensive notification and are working to prevent this from happening again.”
The incident sparked strong reactions online. Many users criticised the recurrence of the slur during Black History Month. One X (formerly Twitter) user wrote, “It just keeps getting worse,” while another commented on the timing, calling the week “unhinged.” Some users questioned whether the error was purely accidental, suggesting algorithms are primarily designed to maximise engagement.
What happened at the BAFTA Awards
During Sunday’s ceremony, while Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage, a Tourette’s activist named John Davidson shouted the racial slur. The moment was captured on video and widely circulated online, leading to criticism over why it was not censored during broadcast.
According to the Associated Press, Davidson later said he was “deeply mortified” and clarified that the outburst was not a reflection of his personal beliefs. In a statement, he said he left the auditorium early after realising the distress caused by his tics.
BAFTA apologised for the “offensive language that carries incomparable trauma and pain for so many,” and thanked the presenters for their “dignity and professionalism.” The BBC also apologised for not editing the word out before airing the ceremony on a delayed broadcast. (Agency)
