BBC Apologises For "Insensitive" Tweet on World AIDS Day

The BBC North West Twitter account has been forced to apologise for a tweet some labelled "disgraceful" on World AIDS Day. 

The tweet, deleted from the account @BBCNWT, reads: 

"Thousands of people across our region have lost loved ones to Covid-19. Join us at BBC NW to remember those that have died, by tying a red ribbon to your Christmas tree or a tree in your garden."

In response to criticism from one user, the BBC North West Tonight account said '[they] did consider what colour ribbon to use'.

The tweet was quick to attract the attention of members of the LGBT+ community, who pointed out that the red ribbon is a symbol for World AIDS Day, and that it seemed inappropriate for the BBC to try and "erase" the symbol. The BBC issued a hasty apology, which said:

"We have deleted a tweet about or project to pay tribute to COVID victims. Given we have used red ribbons as part of it, we understand why some people found it insensitive on World AIDS Day. We're sorry". 

This response only enraged people more, who pointed out that the tweet sounded like the BBC was more apologising that people were offended, rather than apologising for causing offence. 

The project, the Tree of Lives, is a tree decorated with 1,000 red ribbons, with each ribbon representing 9 people who have passed away from COVID-19 in the North West region. In a poignant video, the tweet urged people to record videos of themselves tying red ribbons to trees as part of the project, on a tweet published on the morning of December 1st, World AIDS Day.  Critics attacked what they considered to be a lack of mention about the event, which is celebrated every year on December 1st to raise awareness of HIV and AIDS. The BBC was largely silent about World AIDS Day, not mentioning it on its social media or news briefings.