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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| BBC failing ethnic minority staff, says black journalist | BBC failing ethnic minority staff, says black journalist |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| A senior black journalist has accused the BBC of "institutional myopia or inertia" over its employment of ethnic minority staff. | A senior black journalist has accused the BBC of "institutional myopia or inertia" over its employment of ethnic minority staff. |
| Kurt Barling said the corporation was run by a privately educated elite more diverse than when he joined in 1989. Its managers still recruited and promoted in their own image. | |
| Barling, best known for reporting for BBC London, claimed that those below the most senior echelons of the BBC seemed to be either defensive and/or in a collective state of denial on the issue. | Barling, best known for reporting for BBC London, claimed that those below the most senior echelons of the BBC seemed to be either defensive and/or in a collective state of denial on the issue. |
| His remarks, in an article for the Sunday Times online, follow calls by actor and comedian Lenny Henry for legislation to reverse the "appalling" percentage of black and Asian ethnic minority people (BAME) working in UK television. The percentage fell between 2006 and 2012, according to figures from the Creative Skillset network, meaning they accounted for just 5.4% of the broadcasting workforce. The BBC employs 12.4% BAME staff. | His remarks, in an article for the Sunday Times online, follow calls by actor and comedian Lenny Henry for legislation to reverse the "appalling" percentage of black and Asian ethnic minority people (BAME) working in UK television. The percentage fell between 2006 and 2012, according to figures from the Creative Skillset network, meaning they accounted for just 5.4% of the broadcasting workforce. The BBC employs 12.4% BAME staff. |
| Barling, who worked for the BBC as a freelance, did not have his contract renewed as posts were cut to make £700m savings. "Over the years I have seen many talented people, black and white, leave the BBC because they weren't nurtured, respected or valued," he said. | Barling, who worked for the BBC as a freelance, did not have his contract renewed as posts were cut to make £700m savings. "Over the years I have seen many talented people, black and white, leave the BBC because they weren't nurtured, respected or valued," he said. |
| While BBC London had done better than most parts of the corporation at reflecting diversity, "it's not just about faces on screen but experience and seniority. Where is the critical mass of BAME journalists in senior decision making, strategic and leadership roles?" said Barling. | While BBC London had done better than most parts of the corporation at reflecting diversity, "it's not just about faces on screen but experience and seniority. Where is the critical mass of BAME journalists in senior decision making, strategic and leadership roles?" said Barling. |
| "There is no point in proclaiming initiatives and schemes – dozens in my time at the BBC – if they don't deliver meaningful change. That's indicative of institutional myopia or inertia." | "There is no point in proclaiming initiatives and schemes – dozens in my time at the BBC – if they don't deliver meaningful change. That's indicative of institutional myopia or inertia." |
| He added: "We need diversity among our journalists to help deliver insight and sensitivity. The BBC has found itself struggling to reflect the community it serves, including working class families." | He added: "We need diversity among our journalists to help deliver insight and sensitivity. The BBC has found itself struggling to reflect the community it serves, including working class families." |
| The BBC said in a statement: "We don't recognise this characterisation of the BBC at all. Diversity is an industry-wide issue and the BBC is leading efforts to address this both on and off screen. We are working with groups such as the Stephen Lawrence Trust and the Mama Youth Project to bring talented young people from diverse backgrounds into the BBC, as well as running initiatives to help mentor and develop existing BAME staff to ensure our future leaders are representative of our audiences." | The BBC said in a statement: "We don't recognise this characterisation of the BBC at all. Diversity is an industry-wide issue and the BBC is leading efforts to address this both on and off screen. We are working with groups such as the Stephen Lawrence Trust and the Mama Youth Project to bring talented young people from diverse backgrounds into the BBC, as well as running initiatives to help mentor and develop existing BAME staff to ensure our future leaders are representative of our audiences." |