Black Bectu Network launched as creative industries respond to BLM
The Black Lives Matter movement and greater awareness of the importance of diversity and representation in the media have led to a range of initiatives being launched by broadcasters such as Channel 4 and the BBC.
In response to these initiatives Bectu launched a Black Bectu Network and ran a webinar called: Is there hope for BAME workers in the British creative industries?
Bectu’s new network is a way for the union to be able to listen to BAME members’ experiences and concerns.
The network can also share ideas with Bectu’s Black Members’ Committee and the union about how we can further the interests of BAME people working in film, TV, theatre, live events and the arts. Those signing up will receive information about campaigns and invites to meetings and events.
There is a dedicated web page and the email to join is [email protected]
Bectu’s webinar on 26 June featured Tinge Krishnan – BAFTA award winning film/TV director; Kolton Lee – director and writer and former editor of The Voice; Dr Orson Nava – filmmaker and lecturer; Marcus Ryder – chief international editor of CGTN Digital, who also runs the blog Blackonwhite TV, and Philippa Childs, head of Bectu.
Industry initiatives
The BBC announced it is committing £100m to increasing diversity on TV and setting a mandatory target that 20% of off-screen talent must come from under-represented groups andd Channel 4 outlined a six-part plan to become an anti-racist organisation. Sky has also committed £30m over the next three years to improving representation in its business.
The industry has been under pressure to respond to calls for urgent and meaningful action to address the lack of representation at every level of production.
Two letters garnering support from across the industry have been sent to culture secretary Oliver Dowden and broadcasters highlighting the experiences and hurdles that BAME people working in the film and TV industries have to deal with.
The BAME TV taskforce published their letter to broadcasters and the industry on Friday 19 June and another open letter, which garnered close to 3,600 signatures, including head of Bectu Philippa Childs, was published on Monday 22 June.
Transparency vital
Childs said: “These responses from the broadcasters, including cash commitments, are welcome. However, there must be some form of independent monitoring to allow these words to be held to account and see how they translate to action.
“These are the first steps that are needed to address the systemic racism that Bectu has campaigned for for years to change through practical initiatives and by lobbying to influence those who have been shaping policy in this area.
“Transparency is the key to understanding how committed broadcasters and producers are to these initiatives. The reporting systems that are put in place for these schemes should be independent and the data should be published on a quarterly basis. That’s how important this work is. Bectu will be working with broadcasters and other bodies across the industry to ensure that there is accountability for these commitments.”
