BBC Criticized for Censoring Children's Show 'Horrible Histories'

The BBC is facing criticism for its decision to censor episodes of the children's educational program "Horrible Histories," removing or editing content on its iPlayer platform to align with current editorial guidelines. The broadcaster has stated that edits are made on a case-by-case basis to reflect audience expectations and adhere to its guidelines, a practice it notes is common across the industry.

Among the edited or removed sketches is an episode featuring writer Terry Deary, who also plays Father Christmas, which reportedly includes satirical skits on historical topics. One such sketch depicts a factory scene where a child is injured, satirizing no-win-no-fee injury lawyers. Another segment parodies the Roman practice of chaining captives to galley ship oars, presented in the style of a budget airline safety briefing. A third sketch involves a chimney sweep and a young boy assisting him, with the boy's soot-blackened face being a point of contention.

The BBC's press office stated that "edits to programmes on BBC iPlayer are made on a case-by-case basis to ensure they adhere to our editorial guidelines and reflect audience expectations today." They added that this approach is common practice across the industry and that edits are done in consultation with program makers.

These recent edits follow previous decisions to remove or alter content deemed potentially offensive. Earlier this month, 11 sketches from David Mitchell and Robert Webb's comedy series "That Mitchell And Webb Look" were removed from iPlayer. Several of these sketches reportedly involved blackface portrayals, including a Civil War re-enactment society staging a battle in the Democratic Republic of Congo and a parody of a TV makeover show featuring a woman in a burka.

A spokeswoman for the BBC commented on the "Mitchell and Webb" sketches, stating, "This is a 20-year-old sketch show; in consultation with the programme makers, we have included the ones that still work today and not the ones that don’t."

Critics argue that the BBC's decisions reflect an overly cautious approach to content, potentially stifling historical satire and humor. The program "Horrible Histories," which first aired in 2009 and is based on Terry Deary's books, is known for its educational yet irreverent take on history, often highlighting its more gruesome and absurd aspects through sketches and re-enactments. The show's creators and cast have previously addressed concerns about historical representation, with actor Mathew Baynton noting the show's all-white cast for much of its run and the BBC acknowledging efforts to increase diverse representation and explore a wider range of global history stories.

Despite the controversy, the BBC maintains that its actions are aimed at ensuring content remains appropriate for contemporary audiences while respecting historical context and the intent of the original creators. The broadcaster has emphasized that the process is not overseen by a specific department but is handled on a case-by-case basis with program makers.