The BBC is under fire for Director General Tim Davie’s alleged involvement in blocking the appointment of prominent diversity champion Marcus Ryder, with a growing chorus of industry voices declaring that campaigning for racial equality shouldn’t be viewed as an impartiality issue.
In an open letter to BBC chairman Richard Sharp, published on Wednesday, a body of journalists, producers and freelancers of color have asked for reassurance that “advocating for our industry to be more diverse will not disadvantage or block people from being employed by the BBC” and will instead be seen as a positive attribute that’s in line with the corporation’s values.
The letter was spearheaded by Angela Ferreira, managing director of Douglas Road Productions, a Banijay-backed production company helmed by actor Lenny Henry, who is a close collaborator of Ryder’s. It has so far been signed by Henry, journalists Afua Hirsch and Gary Younge,...
In an open letter to BBC chairman Richard Sharp, published on Wednesday, a body of journalists, producers and freelancers of color have asked for reassurance that “advocating for our industry to be more diverse will not disadvantage or block people from being employed by the BBC” and will instead be seen as a positive attribute that’s in line with the corporation’s values.
The letter was spearheaded by Angela Ferreira, managing director of Douglas Road Productions, a Banijay-backed production company helmed by actor Lenny Henry, who is a close collaborator of Ryder’s. It has so far been signed by Henry, journalists Afua Hirsch and Gary Younge,...
- 10/20/2021
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Channel 4’s groundbreaking “Black to Front” initiative, which sees the network’s entire schedule led by Black talent on and off screen for one day, has garnered mostly positive reactions despite concerns about tokenism.
Among the programs was a brief return for popular 1990s morning show “The Big Breakfast,” this time with comedian Mo Gilligan and presenter Aj Odudu slipping into original hosts Johnny Vaughn and Denise van Outen’s seats on the couch, and distinguished newsreader Sir Trevor McDonald taking over from Anne Robinson on “Countdown.” “Black to Front” will continue to air into primetime, with some of the specially commissioned shows like “Highlife” and “Big Age” premiering later on Friday.
There was some concern ahead of the broadcast that the initiative was tokenistic. “As a black person in the UK TV industry all i wanted was a fair and equal shot as my white counterparts..,” comedian London Hughes...
Among the programs was a brief return for popular 1990s morning show “The Big Breakfast,” this time with comedian Mo Gilligan and presenter Aj Odudu slipping into original hosts Johnny Vaughn and Denise van Outen’s seats on the couch, and distinguished newsreader Sir Trevor McDonald taking over from Anne Robinson on “Countdown.” “Black to Front” will continue to air into primetime, with some of the specially commissioned shows like “Highlife” and “Big Age” premiering later on Friday.
There was some concern ahead of the broadcast that the initiative was tokenistic. “As a black person in the UK TV industry all i wanted was a fair and equal shot as my white counterparts..,” comedian London Hughes...
- 9/10/2021
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
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