Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ appoints new diversity exec
Channel 4's former Editorial Manager of Cultural Diversity, Mary FitzPatrick, has today been given the newly created role of Editorial Executive of Diversity for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ television.
Mary will take overall responsibility for reviewing and tracking on-screen content including the portrayal of black and minority ethnic and disabled people. Part of Jana Bennett's team (Head of Television), Mary will work closely with channel controllers, commissioners, in-house and independent production companies to improve on-screen
portrayal and diversity on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Television, including offering valuable advice to programme makers during the course of the development and production of
programmes.
Jana Bennett said: "The creation of this important new role reflects our commitment to putting audiences at the heart of what we do at the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ."
For more details read the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ press release.
Comments
Just one time. One time when someone appoints a diversity person. Just one time ... it would be nice to have a disabled person rather than one from an ethnic minority. Let me be petty and divisive for a second (but you know you feel it too) THERE'S MORE OF US THAN THEM! It bothers me too that so-called 'respect for ethnic minorities' is really all about 'defence against them bombing us again'. It doesn't sit right with me and it's not real respect. And I also find it repulsive that 'black oriented TV' appears to be translated as 'programmes for thickos'. Diversity all round has gone awry. Help me with my conspiracy theories and self-loathing all who read.
Basher,
If you want help with your conspiracy theory then think about this. Why don't the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ simply have black, Asian and disabled people making their programmes, rather than an advisor telling white non-disabled people what to do? And why is the advisor black? - because if your diversity is just going to be all spin and no substance then race is a much more pressing issue. Simple really.
I would encourage Mary Fitzpatrick to focus on getting more people with personal experience of impairment upstream of the programme making process over the monitoring of the output downstream.