Diversity
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Channel 4's remit is to innovate and appeal to everyone - different cultures, nationalities, religious persuasions, physical and mental abilities, sexual orientation, races and ages. You see this everyday through the scope of films, documentaries, dramas and entertainment programmes we transmit on air.
In everything we do we seek to respect people for who they are, not what they are. We judge people only for the way they do their job and for what they can contribute. We aim to foster an environment in which everyone feels free to contribute without fear and to maximise his or her potential without unfair impediment.
Notwithstanding the fact that we are currently facing some of the most challenging economic conditions in Channel 4's history, we remain strongly committed to diversity and achieving the objectives set out in our future vision document, Next on 4. We have appointed Oona King at senior executive level as our first ever Head of Diversity, she is charged with leading Channel 4's diversity strategy across all the organisation's activities. Channel 4 will make a substantial investment across a range of on-air, online and "real world" development initiatives a proportion of which will be used specifically for industry training and outreach. Read Next on 4.
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We have worked in partnership with industry experts, in the independent sector and other stakeholders to help us achieve real improvements in our casting and on-screen representation of cultural diversity and disability. We've compiled some of their tips into a Guide to Improving On-Screen Diversity and the companion Guide to Improving Off-Screen Diversity.
A recent survey into disabled audiences and the media - commissioned by Channel 4 and the BBC, and carried out by Brand Democracy - found a strong desire for authenticity in portrayal and for disability to be treated as ordinary rather than something special.
Casting disabled people, in all their diversity, across all our shows - from Shameless to Gordon Ramsay's The F Word, from Hollyoaks to Big Brother - has been key to Channel 4's on-screen disability strategy over the past few years. Whilst we know that there is more work to do, we think we are moving in the right direction. To learn the main messages that emerged from the research and to see some great examples of disability inclusion in our programmes view our Disability Compilation.
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Channel 4 celebrates Britishness by exploring the rich diversity of cultures and lifestyles in Britain today. We encourage people to look at themselves and others in a fresh light, and we seek non-judgemental ways of illuminating parts of society that are rarely seen in mainstream media.
We aim to present unvarnished accounts of real lives and real concerns, of different ethnic or racial groups, or people with different cultures or lifestyles. We are not afraid to shine a light on uncomfortable areas, examining social tensions that arise from the diversity of different beliefs or value systems.
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CDN Diversity Pledge
The Diversity Pledge isn't about talk - it's about action that will bring real change to the industry. It's a public commitment by independent production companies and in-house producers to take measurable steps to improve diversity in the industry.
If broadcasting is to be more diverse, companies must embrace the diversity challenge. Diversity isn't just about a particular group; instead it's an inclusive approach that encourages talent and participation regardless of background, gender, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief.
Channel 4, BBC, Sky, ITV, Turner and Virgin Media Television expect their suppliers to sign up to the initiative and it's anticipated other CDN members will do the same.
The Editorial Specification forms for Channel 4, BBC, ITV and Sky specifically ask if a company has signed up to the pledge.
For more details and to sign up:
www.culturaldiversitynetwork.co.uk
To see clips from the CDN Pledge Launch Event at Channel4, click below.
Useful Links and Websites
Read Channel 4's general Diversity Policy.
Channel 4's Equality Scheme
Channel 4 is 100% committed to celebrating diversity in all its forms as well as the promotion of equality of gender, race, disability and cultural diversity. Our Equality Scheme sets out how we make that happen, over and above our statutory requirements,and outlines many of the proactive activities in these areas both inside Channel 4 and outside with the wider community. Read Channel 4's Equality Scheme.
Read Channel 4's staff Disability Policy and Questions & Answers.
Monitoring
Channel 4 also undertakes regular employment monitoring to ensure that no discrimination takes place at any level within its organisation. Read Channel 4's monitoring report for 2007/08.
Industry Networks
We are a founder and active member and current chair of the Cultural Diversity Network (CDN). The CDN is a coalition between the biggest names in broadcasting. The BBC, ITV, Sky, BAFTA, Five, ITN, Channel 4, Skillset, Turner, Virgin and MTV, all working together to promote diversity, both on and off screen.
We are a founder and active member of the Broadcasting and Creative Industries Disability Network (BCIDN). The BCIDN brings together broadcasters and others in the creative industries to share best practice and help promote real opportunities for disabled people to work on screen and in production.
