I watched with interest @DavidOlusoga & his speech on the media last night.

Some facts.

The UK population is around 13% BAME, and on screen TV BAME talent is at 23%, so nationally is infact over represented.

BUT...

Offscreen talent ie people that actually make things stands at 2.2%...

Well under represented.

So as the sector rushes through various diversity initiatives atm as we see more and more BAME presenters WHO is deciding this...

Of course...it’s still posh white people

And...

Are we in danger of not only getting it wrong once, but getting it wrong twice?

Who and how people make programmes is the bedrock to how we change the media, not a decorative diversity initiative which fails to get get to the heart of subjects.

Also it’s key to remember...

That the BAME population in London is over 40%. And most of the jobs in the media are in London.

So do we take a national slant or a London slant on this?

This is key. As a London audience is very different than an audience in the rest of country...and...

If in line with London, some would argue that it will affect coverage. Coverage that won’t resonate with rest of country. The BBC needs to be reflective of population etc.

But that’s an assumption that every BAME producer would make programmes about BAME communities. Which...

Whilst there is a strong tendency atm / primarily because it’s predominantly white producers, to have only have black presenters telling stories about black issues for example. Rather than any story.

My sense is that would change with an increase in off screen BAME talent.

At same time it’s a tricky dilemma. Particularly in a post Brexit world when many people across country feel disconnected from London, & feel equally represented.

So in the media industry (which David‘s comments on Oxbridge dominance showed) there is also a huge class dynamic

And this needs addressing. And not just for white working class people (which people like to trigger on) but also black people.

Atm on screen black presenters predominantly are the ‘acceptable face of blackness’ to white posh producers. More middle class. Some Oxbridge.

Which is why TV shows like The Big Narsty show did so well on Channel 4. Because he can connect with the majority, & speaks directly to a young black working class experience, and one that also crosses the cultural divide.

Now on to the key point...which consistently gets lost

I have seen several diversity pushes in media over the years - as @DavidOlusoga says none of which has worked, & people feel jaded & untrustworthy.

And now we are expected to believe the same people that have failed to get this right.

The key to all of this...

Very simply...

As in all areas of representation from business or football to politics

Is being at the top table. Decision makers shaping policy.

Am sorry just dropping in more presenters is not going to work - sustainable change comes when a real voice to shape comes

So David’s proposals to completely overhaul Offcom - is a welcome idea & needed.

We need to challenge hierarchy directly. And if media bosses TRULY believe in this (as feels a lot of panic & virtue signaling atm) they need to give up their seats - and let others come in.

Because the game will be...that race is being used as a cover to class privilege by offering breadcrumbs from the top table. While the top table remains the same.

Don’t buy it.

Take the keys

And as important the culture in the building - HOW people are treated. The reflections of David’s experience have been expressed to me by many black journos over the years.

And also many white working class people who feel disconnected/unwelcome in the middle class culture.

So there are perhaps positions of solidarity on this to be explored too.

A united push

Diversity officers like @junesarpong are making a difference at the BBC gradually. But we need diverse managers represented &/or with REAL cultural/class understanding for sustained change.

And only then imo we will get it right

If not we will be having this conversation in another ten years