Sharon White

Speaking at an event at the Houses of Parliament earlier this week, RTS Fellow Lenny Henry criticised new Ofcom diversity targets which only focus on those in-front of the camera, saying that it would promote “fake diversity”.

In the speech, attended by members of parliament, the public and representatives of the broadcast industry, he argued that the regulator should also require the BBC to report on the number of BAME staff working behind the scenes.

The move was announced by Sharon White, the regulator’s CEO, speaking in London at a debate on diversity organised by Ofcom and Sky.

White said: “We will be looking at diversity data across the broadcasters we regulate helping us to get the most comprehensive picture yet of how well each broadcaster is doing.

“This is an important step towards greater transparency and greater accountability.”

Ofcom aims to collect a range of information regarding the diversity of people employed by broadcasters and gauge what steps are being taken to monitor diversity.

Q Cathy Newman: Under the BBC’s new Charter, the BBC is in charge of governance, Ofcom is in charge of regulation. It sounds simple. Are you clear about where the dividing line is? 

A Sharon White: There are three new areas of responsibility for us. First, we will now be overseeing news and current affairs on the BBC for impartiality and accuracy.  

Breaking Boundaries: Diversity in Broadcasting will bring together industry leaders from across the UK’s broadcasting and creative sectors to discuss what the industry can do to reflect Britain’s diverse nature both on and off screen.

In addition to the keynote address from the Ofcom chief, Sky News’ Anna Botting will be chairing a panel discussion with speakers including Channel 4 Chief Executive David Abraham.

Audiences at the Cambridge Convention have grown accustomed to Ofcom chiefs who either “don’t think television is as special as people who work in television think it is” (Stephen Carter), or who are not averse to regulating more of the BBC (Ed Richards).

The preliminary programme for this year's RTS Cambridge Convention has been announced. 

The convention, held on a biennial basis, brings together leading figures from the television and its related industry.

This year's event looks forward to television in 2020, focusing on the challenge for content, creativity and business models.

The programme features sessions covering foreign ownership of UK production, the rise of the smart phone in television viewing, and the influence of talent in programme-making.