UK broadcasters not transparent over diversity says union

AN INDUSTRY union is set to boycott a major diversity initiative over what it says is lack of transparency from major broadcasters.

Broadcasting, Entertainment, Cinematograph & Theatre Union (BECTU), which represents black, Asian and minority ethnic community professionals among its members, claims that the much-heralded “Project Diamond” initiative which was set up monitor diversity in the industry, is already failing as major broadcasters such as BBC, Sky, Channel 4 and ITV are not sharing important data.

Gerry Morrissey, the general secretary of Bectu, has written to the the chief executives of ITV, Sky and Channel 4, and the director general of the BBC, saying that union members from ethnic minorities are so concerned about a lack of transparency that the union is considering boycotting the project.

“Please do not underestimate the disenchantment of many black, Asian and minority ethnic community professionals with the broadcasters’ record, which has cost many thousands in lost income and has cost others their career,” said Morrissey. “We do not wish to have to boycott Project Diamond, but as a democratic union we are governed by our members.”

Bectu have argued that broadcasters should be following the lead of organisations such as the British Film Institute and the Arts Council of England who have agreed to higher levels of transparency for their diversity programmes.

Creative Diversity Network (CDN), who are funded by major broadcasters, and responsible for overseeing and running Project Diamond have agreed to a meeting to discuss the concerns of Bectu.