Media4Diversity

Programme Description:

Although Channel 4 -as a public service television station- is publicly owned it is entirely self funded. Its remit is to innovate and appeal to everyone – different cultures, nationalities, religious persuasions, physical and mental abilities, sexual orientation, races and ages. Founded in the eighties to combat the monopoly of the BBC and ITV, Channel 4 commissions its programmes from over 300 production companies across the UK.

To promote diversity both on and off the screen Channel 4 runs a number of initiatives. Training and real job opportunities are a priority. Channel 4 has pledged more than £1.5 million over 3 years to the training and development of ethnic minorities across the industry. Annually £200,000 is invested in training for people with disabilities. The Diversity Production Training scheme offers six one-year placements to disabled people. Trainees are placed in a production company that is producing content for Channel 4; they also receive bi-monthly structured training sessions. Sources of information have been compiled for producers and programme makers to be able to find minority contributors quickly and easily. The Directory of Ethnic Minority Contributors and the Disabled Talent base are available to all Channel 4 partners to use. Internal processes are also in place such as a Diversity policy, a Disability policy and Equality Scheme. These policies or guides outline the type of behaviour that is acceptable for staff at Channel 4.

Onscreen diversity targets are set across all departments at Channel 4. Multicultural Programmes and diverse casting guidelines mean a wide range of people feature in content produced for and broadcast on Channel 4.

Challenge:

A challenge is to improve the diversity of people working in the independent sector.

Solution:

In partnership with its suppliers (independent companies) Channel 4 has put more than eighty people through its cultural diversity and disability Researcher Training Programmes, with the overwhelming majority (around 90%) still working in the media.

Impact and success stories:

• Building on this success in September 2008, Channel 4 launched the Diversity Production Scheme which overhauled the structure and delivery of these much sought after training placements, and expanded the reach to include roles other than researcher (e.g. script editor, production manager, games designer) and revolutionised the recruitment process in order to attract people from the widest possible backgrounds, including non-graduates, late career changers, other disadvantaged groups as well as disabled people and ethnic minorities.
• This 12-month initiative is half funded by Channel 4 and half funded by the Independent Production Company. Structured trainings take place every month and are paid for by Channel 4.

Quotes:

“The programme was a great opportunity to work with a leading independent production company and get quality training and advice. It was great fun, and has proved invaluable when looking for work since.” Chandra Hensman. Chandra worked in the Glasgow and London offices of IWC in 2004-05. She then worked as a Senior Researcher on the revamped series of The Clothes Show at Shine. Chandra is currentlyworking at Century Films - who specialise in distinctive documentary and drama – where she is Acting Head of Development.