Media regulators OFCOM (Office of Communication) have promised to tackle the lack of diversity in the media following criticism that they are not doing enough to combat the issue.
They plan to offer support to the Creative Diversity Network, who are looking to monitor how ethnic minorities are represented in the media and they recently met with Channel 4 to discuss possible solutions.
“Ofcom is supporting and partnering with the Creative Diversity Network, Channel 4, ITV, Sky and the BBC on its Diversity Monitoring System, a standardised cross-industry monitoring tool,” an OFCOM spokeswoman stated.
“Ofcom is in discussions with the Creative Diversity Network about the implementation phase of the Monitoring System, and areas where we can help them by providing technical support for this positive initiative from industry. This is a significant step in improving diversity monitoring in the TV sector.”
At the recent Culture, Media and sports hearing OFCOM chief Ed Richards commented in the topic. He said:
“We will be the keeper of the facts in that area. We will be the guarantor of independence and [ensure] that nobody is trying to present something which isn’t the case.”
We are now engaged in a very good dialogue with the broadcasters, more productive than at any point I can remember. There seems to be a real willingness to engage with it.”
