Source · Select Committees · Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Recommendation 27
27
Paragraph: 112
Diversity within the industry has improved in recent years—for example, there is a better gender...
Recommendation
Diversity within the industry has improved in recent years—for example, there is a better gender balance—but progress continues to be too slow. It is taking too long to address inequality within the industry and much more needs to be done to increase diversity, notably disabled people and BAME representation and particularly in the upper levels of management. PSBs and streaming services alike need to do better, and in the response to this Report, Ofcom and the Government should explain how they intend to ensure that improvements are made much more quickly.
Paragraph Reference:
112
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The media plays a vital role in UK society and therefore has an important responsibility to reflect 21st Century Britain. The Government is committed to supporting the sector to ensure it is representative of the country in which we live and a place where people from all backgrounds can achieve. Under the Communications Act 2003, Ofcom has a duty to promote equality of opportunity in relation to employment and training in the broadcasting sector and has powers to ask broadcasters to provide information about their equal opportunities policies and the make-up of their workforce. The Equality Act provides a framework for reporting by public authorities. Different rules apply for private and voluntary sector organisations. In that light, the Government does not propose to amend the statutory framework, given the need to balance the burden of regulation on enterprise, including small and medium-sized firms. Broadcasters play a vital role in ensuring the reality of modern life across the whole of the UK is adequately reflected. We continue to work with the British Film Institute (BFI), in their role as the Government’s arm’s length body with responsibility for the sector, to improve representation both on and off screen, including through supporting the wider adoption of the BFI’s world-leading Diversity Standards. Meeting the Standards is a ‘kitemark’, and must be obtained in order to access public film funding (BFI, BBC Films, Film 4) and BAFTA awards in certain categories. They have also been adopted by Paramount Pictures for all their UK productions.