TV and diversity – how to make 2020 the year of genuine change

The drive for diversity and inclusion is not new in UK television. But could the momentum of Black Lives Matter combined with the challenge of Covid make 2020 a year of real change as the twin crises put the spotlight on inequality as never before?  

This panel will examine which initiatives have worked to date, whether initiative-itis is the problem not the solution, what must be done differently to effect the change we want to see and whether radical thinking driven by the Covid-related impact of lower tariffs and shrinking slates could finally unblock barriers to progress. 

ScreenSkills  has partnered with Broadcast to present this discussion.  We believe that diversity and inclusion is a skills and talent issue and must be embedded in policy and practice if there is to be the transformation of opportunity that justice demands.  

Panel

• Charlotte Moore, Director of Content, BBC
• Kevin Lygo, Director of Television, ITV
• Danny Horan, Head of Factual, Channel 4
• Zai Bennett,Managing Director of Content, Sky 

The session will be chaired by historian, academic, broadcaster, writer and producer David Olusoga .

In conjunction with the discussion, we will host two training interventions - one on unconscious bias and the other on inclusive casting - as the first of a new series of practical responses to ensuring Black lives really do matter in UK TV.

This event is supported by the ScreenSkills Television Skills Fund which invests in training for the freelance television workforce thanks to contributions from the BBC, Channel 4 and Channel 5.

It is part of a ScreenSkills programme managed by the Indie Training Fund to support freelancers to upskill and stay connected, helping keep the industry resilient in these difficult times.

This session will take place online via Zoom. Click ‘get ticket’ to reserve your place: you must login or register before you are able to get a ticket for this event. A booking confirmation with a joining link to the session will be sent to you via email.

If you are no longer able to use your ticket, we ask you to please contact support@screenskills.com  so that we can release your place. Our sessions are often oversubscribed, so we’d like to give others the opportunity to fill available spots. Thank you for your consideration.