Rutger Bregman, a notable historian and author, has recently criticized the BBC for omitting a reference to Donald Trump from his lecture. The event took place at the BBC Radio Theatre, where Bregman delivered his speech in front of an audience of 500 people.
Bregman’s Concerns Over Censorship
After the broadcast of his lecture, Bregman expressed his dismay on social media. He claimed that the BBC had decided to engage in self-censorship. Bregman stated that the decision to cut a specific sentence came from high-level executives at the BBC, despite the lecture undergoing a thorough editorial review prior to its recording.
Details of the Omitted Content
Bregman shared his belief that the removal of the line stemmed from fear of legal repercussions, particularly concerning Trump’s potential lawsuit against the BBC. He emphasized that this kind of self-censorship threatens democratic values.
- Lecture Title: Moral Revolution
- Audience Size: 500 attendees
- Broadcast Date: Tuesday (exact date unspecified)
- Bregman’s Reference to Trump: “convicted reality star” and “modern-day Caligula”
The Ironic Nature of the Omission
Bregman observed that the line removed from his lecture addressed what he called the “paralyzing cowardice” of contemporary elites. He believes in the value of transparency in discourse, hoping that sharing his experience would contribute positively to democratic culture.
BBC’s Response
A spokesperson from the BBC clarified that all programs must adhere to established editorial guidelines. They explained that legal advice influenced the decision to edit the content before broadcasting.
Upcoming Lectures
Bregman has been appointed as the 2025 Reith Lecturer. His lecture series will discuss the apparent decline in seriousness among the elite in today’s society. Further lectures are scheduled to be released in the upcoming weeks.
- Previous Reith Lecturers:
- Stephen Hawking
- Hilary Mantel
- Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
- Bertrand Russell
- King Charles III (as Prince Charles)
The lectures will be available on BBC Radio 4 in the UK and the BBC World Service internationally, as well as on BBC Sounds.
