BBC Director-General announces training course on antisemitism for all staff
Course was developed in partnership with the Jewish Staff Network, the Antisemitism Policy Trust, and the Community Security Trust
Outgoing BBC director-general Tim Davie has announced that all BBC staff must complete a new training course on antisemitism within the next six months, as part of a drive to combat “discrimination, prejudice, and intolerance” within the organisation.
The initiative comes after more than 200 Jewish BBC staff, contractors, suppliers, and contributors accused the broadcaster’s board of ignoring calls for an investigation into alleged antisemitism at the corporation.
Announcing the programme in a message to staff, Davie stated: “The BBC is for everyone, and we are clear that everyone working here should feel they belong. As an organisation, we stand united against any form of discrimination, prejudice, or intolerance.”
The course was developed in partnership with the Jewish Staff Network, the Antisemitism Policy Trust, and the Community Security Trust, and includes real-world examples of antisemitism in society.
Staff have six months to complete the training, with completion status shared with managers. New joiners will have 28 days after being assigned the module.
Davie explained that the BBC Academy had spent several months developing new anti-discrimination training, beginning with e-learning modules on antisemitism and Islamophobia.
The antisemitism module is available immediately, while the Islamophobia module will launch in February.
“I know that everyone will be committed to the training, ensuring the BBC is a role model as an inclusive and tolerant workplace,” Davie added.
A senior BBC staff member said: “There was some useful content for non-Jewish staff, but it did not really tackle the elephant in the room, which is Zionism. This is the biggest issue of the day, but all it said was that there is a wide range of interpretations of Zionism. It missed a chance to make clear that Zionism is not racism, a belief which infects BBC Arabic.”
The move was welcomed by the Board of Deputies, which met with senior BBC leaders this week to discuss antisemitism training, concerns over BBC Arabic, and wider Middle East coverage.
Board President Phil Rosenberg said: “Over the last 18 months, the Board of Deputies’ engagement with the BBC has focused on the urgent need for change in both culture and content at the Corporation.
“A key component of the cultural change required is a proper understanding of contemporary antisemitism, provided by credible organisations.”
He added that the Board hopes the training will eventually extend to suppliers and contractors as well as staff.
Danny Stone MBE, Chief Executive of the Antisemitism Policy Trust (APT), which helped develop the training, commented: “Against a backdrop of rising antisemitism in the UK and across the globe, staff at our national broadcaster must understand how to spot and tackle anti-Jewish racism and support colleagues who face it. This training will assist in that effort.”
Dr Dave Rich MBE, Director of Policy at Community Security Trust (CST), praised the BBC’s collaboration with Jewish organisations and staff: “The BBC has faced serious challenges in its handling of antisemitism, but we have been encouraged by the open and collaborative way in which they have worked with CST, APT, and their own Jewish staff to develop this important training.”
According to the BBC, the new antisemitism module is compulsory for all staff.
“It is our collective responsibility to make sure we understand what [antisemitism] is and what it can look like,” staff have been told.
“This training provides a framework of understanding for staff to spot and call out antisemitism.”
The announcement follows a letter sent in July 2024 by over 200 Jewish BBC employees and contributors to BBC chairman Samir Shah, calling for an urgent formal investigation into “systemic problems of antisemitism and bias at the BBC, alongside senior management’s demonstrable failure to properly address the issue.”
Davie, who announced his resignation last month following a row over impartiality, will remain in his post until a replacement is appointed.
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