This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/sep/30/sadiq-khan-letter-sharon-white-ofcom-bame
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Letter from Sadiq Khan to Ofcom’s Sharon White | Letter from Sadiq Khan to Ofcom’s Sharon White |
| (4 months later) | |
| Sadiq Khan | |
| Sun 1 Oct 2017 00.05 BST | |
| Last modified on Sat 2 Dec 2017 02.39 GMT | |
| Share on Facebook | |
| Share on Twitter | |
| Share via Email | |
| View more sharing options | |
| Share on LinkedIn | |
| Share on Pinterest | |
| Share on Google+ | |
| Share on WhatsApp | |
| Share on Messenger | |
| Close | |
| Extracts from Sadiq Khan’s letter to Sharon White, chief executive of Ofcom | Extracts from Sadiq Khan’s letter to Sharon White, chief executive of Ofcom |
| Dear Sharon, | Dear Sharon, |
| As mayor of London, I am writing to express my particular concerns over BAME diversity in the broadcasting industry and its impact on London’s economy and culture. | As mayor of London, I am writing to express my particular concerns over BAME diversity in the broadcasting industry and its impact on London’s economy and culture. |
| I fully agree with your recent comments that broadcasters are making “woeful progress” in representing the diversity of our society, including the representation of people from BAME backgrounds. As you made clear, this “shocking” failure creates a “cultural disconnect” between programme makers and viewers. This will only change if Ofcom put in place clear requirements that broadcasters must meet. | I fully agree with your recent comments that broadcasters are making “woeful progress” in representing the diversity of our society, including the representation of people from BAME backgrounds. As you made clear, this “shocking” failure creates a “cultural disconnect” between programme makers and viewers. This will only change if Ofcom put in place clear requirements that broadcasters must meet. |
| In order to regulate diversity of the broadcasting industry successfully, Ofcom must have a clear definition of what constitutes a “diverse BAME production”. Sir Lenny Henry has sought to solve this issue by proposing a definition that involves a production, meeting two of three criteria. In summary: | In order to regulate diversity of the broadcasting industry successfully, Ofcom must have a clear definition of what constitutes a “diverse BAME production”. Sir Lenny Henry has sought to solve this issue by proposing a definition that involves a production, meeting two of three criteria. In summary: |
| (1) at least 50% of the production staff measured against cost must be BAME; | (1) at least 50% of the production staff measured against cost must be BAME; |
| (2) at least 50% of on-screen talent measured against cost must be BAME; | (2) at least 50% of on-screen talent measured against cost must be BAME; |
| (3) at least 30% of senior personnel must be BAME. | (3) at least 30% of senior personnel must be BAME. |
| Ringfencing funds for production and programming has proven a successful method of widening access to the broadcasting industry across the regions and nations. Building on this success, I am writing to ask that Ofcom consider expanding this approach with the aim of improving BAME diversity. | Ringfencing funds for production and programming has proven a successful method of widening access to the broadcasting industry across the regions and nations. Building on this success, I am writing to ask that Ofcom consider expanding this approach with the aim of improving BAME diversity. |
| Measuring progress is essential for improving BAME diversity across the broadcast industry, but without clear targets, progress cannot be properly assessed and tracked. Ofcom is in a position to significantly improve this process by requiring broadcasters to provide more consistent and accurate statistics. | Measuring progress is essential for improving BAME diversity across the broadcast industry, but without clear targets, progress cannot be properly assessed and tracked. Ofcom is in a position to significantly improve this process by requiring broadcasters to provide more consistent and accurate statistics. |
| The three proposals I have highlighted above are straightforward steps Ofcom can take to improve the lack of progress on BAME diversity in the broadcasting industry. | The three proposals I have highlighted above are straightforward steps Ofcom can take to improve the lack of progress on BAME diversity in the broadcasting industry. |
| I believe the promotion of diversity in broadcasting is not only vital for the culture and profile of the UK but is critical for ensuring the commercial success and sustainability of one of the most important drivers of the London economy. London is proudly one of the most diverse cities in the world, and we should be aiming for nothing less than for that to be reflected in an equally diverse broadcasting industry. | I believe the promotion of diversity in broadcasting is not only vital for the culture and profile of the UK but is critical for ensuring the commercial success and sustainability of one of the most important drivers of the London economy. London is proudly one of the most diverse cities in the world, and we should be aiming for nothing less than for that to be reflected in an equally diverse broadcasting industry. |
| Yours sincerely, | Yours sincerely, |
| Sadiq Khan | Sadiq Khan |
| Mayor of London | Mayor of London |
| Race issues | |
| The Observer | |
| Ofcom | |
| Television industry | |
| news | |
| Share on Facebook | |
| Share on Twitter | |
| Share via Email | |
| Share on LinkedIn | |
| Share on Pinterest | |
| Share on Google+ | |
| Share on WhatsApp | |
| Share on Messenger | |
| Reuse this content |