Is the BBC still committed to diversity?

Greg Dyke, a former BBC director-general, once said famously that the BBC was "hideously white" meaning that there weren't enough people from ethnic minorities working there. Although there are more ethnic staff now than in 2000 some of the present BBC senior management have a problem accepting the need for change. Sunny Hundal wrote about this yesterday in MediaGuardian.

Programme makers have always valued their independence and have traditionally enjoyed the support of senior management. And this is why diversity is such a difficult concept for them - because it means losing some of their authority.

Crucially, an effective diversity department should have power to require and enforce improvement in situations where BBC output does not meet a satisfactory diversity standard. But the diversity department is only a fledgling department.

When Jana Bennett, the Director of Television announced, independently of the BBC's currently existing diversity structure, the appointment of a new 'diversity champion' it may be a sign that things are about to change. (see blog 10 June 2006)

The BBC Press Office biography of Andrea Callender, the BBC Head of Diversity, says that she "co-ordinates the BBC's objective to reflect fully the diversity of the UK, both in its programmes and in the make-up of the BBC staff."

Ms Callender was appointed shortly before the departure of Greg Dyke in January 2004.

I think that the BBC could prove it is still committed to diversity by requiring all personnel, including management, to undertake a course in diversity training.