Phillips wants code to monitor diversity
- Published: 16 July 2008 17:20
- Author: Katherine Rushton
- More by this Author
- Last Updated: 17 July 2008 10:11
- Reader Responses
Trevor Phillips, chair of the UK's Equality and Human Rights Commission, is calling for broadcasters and the top 20 indies to set up a voluntary code to monitor diversity at a senior level.
In a report commissioned by Channel 4, Superdiversity: TV's Newest Reality, Phillips suggested that by 2010, broadcasters and producers should introduce a levy of all sizeable productions to establish an industry-wide diversity fund.
He also urged broadcasters to work with Barb to develop a ratings system that closely monitors ethnic viewing habits.
Phillips said the industry was ready and willing to embrace diversity but that it needed a spark to happen. "We have too little diversity among our decision-makers, and above all too little incentive to act decisively," he said.
The C4 report included research into ethnic minorities' attitudes towards TV, which backed up Phillips' criticisms. Respondents praised programmes such as Who Do You Think You Are?, Dispatches and Panorama but slammed "tokenistic" characters in Coronation Street and EastEnders.
South Asians in particular said British TV could learn from the cast make-up of US shows such as Heroes, ER and Lost.
Meanwhile, C4 religion commissioning editor Aaqil Ahmed has added multicultural commissioning editor to his duties. He will be tasked with commissioning programmes for the 9pm and 10pm weeknight slots.
