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Ofcom, please listen. Racial diversity in TV means seeing the bigger picture Ofcom, please listen. Racial diversity in TV means seeing the bigger picture
(about 2 hours later)
When the BBC revealed statistics showing the gender pay gap of their top earners, it made international news. On the same day the BBC also published other diversity statistics, which showed that its black, Asian and minority ethnic staff are less likely to be promoted than their colleagues, and less likely to reach senior management. And if a minority person decides to leave the BBC they are less likely to receive a payoff.When the BBC revealed statistics showing the gender pay gap of their top earners, it made international news. On the same day the BBC also published other diversity statistics, which showed that its black, Asian and minority ethnic staff are less likely to be promoted than their colleagues, and less likely to reach senior management. And if a minority person decides to leave the BBC they are less likely to receive a payoff.
But perhaps most important of all the statistics showed that when it comes to racial diversity, the corporation failed to meet its own targets in six of its 10 divisions. But perhaps most important of all, the statistics showed that when it comes to racial diversity, the corporation failed to meet its own targets in six of its 10 divisions.
There are definitely more people of colour on our television screens, and more women in high-profile positions. But the fact is that while things might look like they are getting better, if you scratch the surface there is still a long way to go. The gender pay gap still persists, and the people who make TV programmes are still far from diverse. There are undoubtedly more people of colour on our television screens, and more women in high-profile positions. But the fact is that while things might look like they are getting better, if you scratch the surface there is still a long way to go. The gender pay gap still persists, and the people who make TV programmes are still far from diverse.
I believe that if we want to change our industry we must look beyond what we see on our TV screens and fix the bigger problems lying beneath. When it comes to racial diversity, that means looking at who commissions and makes the programmes.I believe that if we want to change our industry we must look beyond what we see on our TV screens and fix the bigger problems lying beneath. When it comes to racial diversity, that means looking at who commissions and makes the programmes.
Back in 2014 more than 50 leading industry figures including Idris Elba, Stephen Poliakoff, Meera Syal and Emma Thompson wrote an open letter to all the broadcasters asking them to set money aside for diverse production. Nearly all the relevant unions and trade bodies – including the National Union of Journalists, Bectu and Directors UK – have all recently said the regulator Ofcom needs to do more to ensure the BBC increases the diversity of those who make the programmes. Back in 2014 more than 50 leading industry figures, including Idris Elba, Stephen Poliakoff, Meera Syal and Emma Thompson, wrote an open letter to all broadcasters asking them to set money aside for diverse production teams. Nearly all the relevant unions and trade bodies – including the National Union of Journalists, Bectu and Directors UK – have all recently said that the regulator Ofcom needs to do more to ensure the BBC increases the diversity of those who make the programmes. When I gave a speech in parliament in July in front of a cross-party panel, all agreed that targets for off-screen diversity are essential.
And when I gave a speech in parliament in July in front of a cross-party panel, all agreed that targets for off-screen diversity are essential. There is just one problem. Ofcom, the body that would be responsible for setting targets for the broadcasters, doesn’t agree with me. Or with the leading industry figures. Or with the unions. Or with the cross-party politicians.
There is just one problem. Ofcom, the body that would be responsible for setting any targets for the broadcasters doesn’t agree with me. Or with the leading industry figures. Or with the unions. Or with the cross-party politicians. This will be the first year Ofcom will be regulating the BBC, and it has said that it will only set targets for the corporation’s on-screen diversity and not for anything off-screen. But off-screen diversity is key. Having had my own production company (Crucial Films in the 90s and Douglas Road Productions now), I know that if the boss says “we’re going to make this a diverse production”, then it has to happen. Someone must go out and make it their job to find an ethnically and gender-diverse cast, crew and editorial staff.
This will be the first year Ofcom will be regulating the BBC, and it has said it will only set targets for the corporation’s on-screen diversity and not for anything off-screen.
But off-screen diversity is key. Having had my own production company (Crucial films in the 90s and Douglas Road Productions now), I know that if the boss says “we’re going to make this a diverse production”, then it has to happen. Someone must go out and make it their job to find an ethnically and gender-diverse cast, crew and editorial staff.
Unfortunately, if those at the top don’t give the order then, even with the best will in the world, it drops to the bottom of their staff’s “to do” list. It’s so much easier to go with what you know, rather than seek out someone new, different, challenging.Unfortunately, if those at the top don’t give the order then, even with the best will in the world, it drops to the bottom of their staff’s “to do” list. It’s so much easier to go with what you know, rather than seek out someone new, different, challenging.
Today, more programmes than ever are being made away from London – not because the executives at BBC and Channel 4 suddenly fell in love with Scotland and Wales – but also because the regulator told them they had to do it. Today, more programmes than ever are being made away from London – not because the executives at the BBC and Channel 4 suddenly fell in love with Scotland and Wales, but because the regulator told them they had to do it.
At that event in parliament, one politician spoke about training and initiatives, and every single ethnic-minority industry professional bristled. We’re constantly infantilised and patronised; told to “wait and see – it’ll all come good in the end.” Marcus Ryder, who used to run current affairs for BBC Scotland (but who now works in China) told the meeting, “We’re tired of being told to ‘wait and see’ – we’ve waited and we’ve seen! It’s time for change … and now!”At that event in parliament, one politician spoke about training and initiatives, and every single ethnic-minority industry professional bristled. We’re constantly infantilised and patronised; told to “wait and see – it’ll all come good in the end.” Marcus Ryder, who used to run current affairs for BBC Scotland (but who now works in China) told the meeting, “We’re tired of being told to ‘wait and see’ – we’ve waited and we’ve seen! It’s time for change … and now!”
I met one minority TV executive who’d had a nervous breakdown because of prejudice and lack of trust in her abilities at work. I met a young female actor who was contemplating a move to Los Angeles where the work on offer for black performers is more varied and plentiful than here in the UK.I met one minority TV executive who’d had a nervous breakdown because of prejudice and lack of trust in her abilities at work. I met a young female actor who was contemplating a move to Los Angeles where the work on offer for black performers is more varied and plentiful than here in the UK.
It feels as if everyone is behind us, that we’ve won significant battles. But unfortunately, we are no closer to winning the war. It feels as if everyone is behind us, that we’ve won significant battles. But unfortunately, we are no further down the road when it comes to winning the war.
However, I am still hopeful. Ofcom also said that it may yet change its mind, and will come to a final decision in September: we can only hope it will reconsider its strangely passive decision. Having met many black and minority individuals from our industry, I know they would all welcome the chance to compete on a level playing field. If we’re to make real progress towards diversity on our TV screens, Ofcom needs to listen to us. However, I am still hopeful. Ofcom also said that it may yet change its mind, and will come to a final decision in September: we can only hope that it will reconsider its strangely passive decision. Having met many black and minority individuals from our industry, I know they would all welcome the chance to compete on a level playing field. If we’re to make real progress towards diversity on our TV screens, Ofcom needs to listen to us.