A BBC News anchor has sparked significant online controversy following her reaction during an interview with young musician DC3, who named Jesus Christ as one of his heroes. During the segment aired on March 30, 2024, 18-year-old DC3, whose real name is Daniel Chenjerai, listed his inspirations after being prompted by anchor Geeta Guru-Murthy. Among those he mentioned were British rapper Santan Dave and American artist Kendrick Lamar, but it was his mention of Jesus Christ that drew an audible response from Guru-Murthy.
As Chenjerai stated, “Jesus Christ,” an audible hissing sound was heard from the 58-year-old anchor, which quickly ignited a backlash across social media platforms. Users on X, formerly known as Twitter, expressed outrage at what they perceived as a biased reaction against Christianity. Comments included critiques from journalist Peter Lloyd, who questioned the potential outrage if a similar reaction had occurred in reference to another religious figure, highlighting the perceived double standard in media treatment.
The incident led to a proliferation of memes on social media, with users likening Guru-Murthy’s reaction to a vampire distressed by sunlight and even comparing her to Gollum from “The Lord of the Rings.” Many users criticized the BBC for what they viewed as a lack of respect towards religious beliefs.
Following the incident, DC3 addressed the situation directly on social media, affirming his faith. He posted, “Jesus Christ is real,” and added, “The revolution will be televised in Jesus name.” His comments were intended to reaffirm the importance of his beliefs in the face of online backlash.
In response to the criticism, Guru-Murthy defended herself, asserting that her reaction was misinterpreted. She stated, “I’ve seen there’s some discussion about the end of my interview with DC3 this week. For the record, I was simply breathing in before moving to end the interview. To suggest anything else is just untrue.” She made this clarification in a post on X, tagging the BBC.
The BBC also responded to the situation through a spokesperson, who categorically denied the claims regarding Guru-Murthy’s reaction during the interview. They emphasized that the allegations of bias were unfounded and that the network remains committed to fair and balanced reporting.
This incident highlights the ongoing conversations around media representation of religious figures and the diverse reactions that can emerge in public discourse. As DC3 continues to rise in prominence, particularly with two nominations for the 2026 MOBO Awards, this event may shape how public figures engage with sensitive topics in the future.
