Barbican apologises after Palestinian talk cancelled

The Barbican Centre has apologised for pulling a live-streamed talk last minute that was due to be hosted by co-founder of Palestine-based Radio Alhara, Elias Anastas, last Thursday (15 June).

According to reports from Novara Media, Anastas was told by a Barbican staff member to “avoid talking about free Palestine at length”.

Anastas’ interviewer, Nihal El Asar, was also told to “steer clear of thorny issues” such as “free Palestine…or whatever” by the same member of staff.

The Barbican cancelled the event soon after, which was due to discuss the radical possibilities of radio and how broadcasting can be used as a tool for subversion, citing technical difficulties with the live broadcast.

In a statement shared online earlier this week, the Barbican said the editorial note asking Anastas to avoid spending too much time discussing free Palestine was shared “in haste”, while adding the situation was “compounded by a technical failure”.

“This intervention by the Barbican relating to the content of the talk was unacceptable and a series error of judgement, for which we are deeply sorry,” the Barbican’s statement continues.

“As an organisation we believe in the importance of free speech, dialogue and debate – giving a platform to the experience and views of individuals and groups involved in free Palestine is part of this commitment.”

The Barbican confirmed it has since spoken and apologised to all those involved and has agreed for the talk to be rescheduled in the near future.