BBC 'Creative Future' a creative 'con trick'

Mark Thompson announced his 'vision' of things to come on 25 April 2006. It is known as 'Creative Future' and it's a kind of umbrella term which seems to enable BBC management to do whatever they like.

Byker Grove was a victim of 'Creative Future' and there will probably be many many more.

Creative Future is apparently the reason given for creating the new post of editorial director of diversity, who is to be Mary FitzPatrick. But the truth is more likely that the purpose of the new appointment was to undermine the BBC's own Diversity Centre. The appointment coincided with the BBC governors' decision about Chris Moyles's use of 'gay' to describe a ring tone. The Diversity Centre, and almost all people in the field of education think that such use of language is not acceptable.

John Quinn, director of Beatbullying, is quoted in The Guardian as saying "While the BBC claims the word gay has evolved into meaning 'lame', this is only because people identify being called gay as undesirable, therefore giving power to that term. Using the word gay as a derogatory word, whether in the context of homosexuality or not, further propagates the idea that being gay is a bad thing. The BBC have just greenlighted the use of gay as a derogatory word. Therefore, the BBC have given credence to the idea that being gay is bad. This low-level homophobia is not acceptable and is outrageous considering how homophobic bullying destroys lives."

Beatbullying's website suggests complaints be made to the BBC (Tel 08700 100 222), or via their website at http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints.

Director of television Jana Bennett who appointed the new 'diversity champion' earlier this week, knows the views of Beatbullying, but still supports the governors' decision on Moyles. The big question then, is "what is the real reason for new appointment?" Is it to promote diversity, or is it really part of an internal power struggle?

However, if Mary FitzPatrick is prepared to be an independent principled thinker these fears should prove to be wrong, as it will hopefully mean that she, in conjunction with the Diversity Centre, will take a stand against endemic homophobia at the BBC.