A new group has been created to monitor the BBC to ensure the broadcaster is representing “stories, faces and voices” from all UK communities.
The Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group has been created to advise the BBC on how it portrays UK communities on air and represents them in its workforce.
MEET
The group meets for the first time today and includes internal and external members of the BBC.
Members, independent from the BBC bring a wide range of media knowledge and experience to the table.
From Sky presenter June Sarpong to co-founder of the Glasgow Women’s Library, Adele Patrick both make up a selection of external members meeting today.
Bringing experience of the BBC and the broadcasting organisation as a whole, internal members include former BBC One and BBC Three channel executive, Tanya Motie and chief BBC director of content,Charlotte Moore.
TARGETS
The BBC revealed in March that it was meeting its 2020 diversity targets for disabled, LGBTQ+ and BAME (black, Asian, and minority ethnic) staff. The new group hopes to improve on the already inclusive work the BBC is doing.
Revamping the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group set up in 2014 and operated by the BBD, the adapted group is designed to help the BBC fulfil their fourth public purpose.
This requires the BBC to ‘reflect, represent and serve the diverse communities of all of the United Kingdom’s nations and regions and, in doing so, support the creative economy across the United Kingdom’.
REPRESENT
Director-general Lord Tony Hall said: “The BBC must represent the widest range of stories, faces and voices on screen, on air and behind the camera.
“The combined knowledge, experience and skills of our new Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group will provide a fresh perspective on our ambitions.”
Two new roles have since been created to help with the new group’s efforts. Director of Creative Diversity who will report to group managing director, Bob Sheenan and the head of workforce diversity and inclusion will report to BBC chief HR officer, Valerie Hughes D’Aeth.
What else can organisations do to improve diversity? Let us know on Twitter and Instagram.
Words: Siobhan Macdonald