In The Media | 20 January 2015

Channel 4 issues strict diversity guidelines – and executives will lose bonuses if programmes miss them

Channel 4 executives will find their bonus payments cut if they fail to meet radical new diversity targets which require women, black, Asian or minority ethnic (BAME) people and the disabled to be given leading roles across all of its programmes.

A new Diversity Charter launched by the broadcaster includes a pledge that 20 per cent of all staff will be BAME by 2020, up from a current level of 15 per cent. In addition, 6 per cent of the workforce will be lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT), up from 2.4 per cent.

New commissioning diversity guidelines require Channel 4’s drama and comedies to include at least one lead character from an ethnic minority, LGBT or disabled background.

Source: theindependent.co.uk