Diversity in the Media: History of the Cultural Diversity Advisory Group to the Media, 1992-2007

Formed in 1992 and self-funding, the CDAGM has consistently and repeatedly challenged unfair portrayal of members of ethnic minority groups as well as their lack of mainstream access and involvement. This thought-provoking book tells of the barriers to progress but also highlights the positive impact of the CDAGM in relation to institutions such as the BBC, ITV, Newsquest, Westminster Media Forum, DCMS (Department for Culture Media and Sport) and Parliamentary Select Committees.The work of the group has influenced developments across the UK, where there is now regular dialogue between minorities and representatives of the media/press. As one correspondent writes, 'I remember ...honest debate, amongst honest people, each with an honest desire to make ...the media a more honest reflection of the community it wants to speak to and for' (John Ferrao, Meridian Tonight, see p.123).With its insights about media/press 'gate keeping' and packed with materials concerning the ease and ingenuity with which legitimate concerns can be sincerely attended to or improperly deflected, "Diversity in the Media" is an invaluable handbook for everyone concerned with democracy, fairness and social inclusion - including programme makers, editors, journalists, practitioners, researchers, students and general readers. "Diversity in the Media" contains contributions and correspondence from and between a range of people with direct experience of the events described in this book, including Nigel Kay; Andy Griffee; Eve Turner; Peter Fincham; Michael Grade; Tim Daykin; Elaine Johnson; Robin Britton; John Ferrao; Ian Murray; Mary Venetia Genis; Di Bernstein; Don John; Yuri Layhe; Parvaneh Farid and Hazel Tan.

Table of Contents:
CONTENTSThe Cultural Diversity Group and to the Media ivDedication vAcknowledgments viForeword by Pauline Brandt xiIntroduction: Historical Background, Formation and SurvivalAnver Jeevanjee 17 PART I THE PUBLIC DOMAINSubmission of Evidence on the Communications White Paper Anver Jeevanjee 41BBC Green Paper - Royal Charter ReviewAnver Jeevanjee 43Building Public Participation Conference - 21 November 2005Anver Jeevanjee 50BBC White Paper - Response 52OFCOM - Public Service Broadcasting Review Consultation ResponseAnver Jeevanjee 61Westminster Media Forum Publication: The BBC - An Ancient Heritage? Anver Jeevanjee 65Edited Comments of the Ethnicity and Diversity Seminar 21 January 2007 67Media Forum Policy Seminar: Ethnicity and Media - Organisation and Staffing 69New Enquiry Public Service Media Content No. 47. Select Committee. Culture, Media and Sport - 7 January 2007 73Oral Evidence Session. BBC Annual Report and Accounts 2005-2006 76BBC Public Purpose Remits. Public Consultation by the NewBBC Trust - April 2007 Anver Jeevanjee 77PART II REPRESENTATIONS TO THE MEDIALetter to BBC SouthRegional News Programmes - Ethnic Monitoring Exercise 31 0ctober- 4 November 2005 86Cultural Diversity Group Don John 89Portrayal - Cultural Diversity and Retention of Minority Ethnic Staff in the South's Media 93Examples of Complaints 95PART III A SELECTION OF INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTIONS, COMMENTS AND RESPONSESNigel Kay 109Andy Griffee 110Eve Turner 112Peter Fincham 113Michael Grade 116Tim Daykin 118Meridian/ITV Elaine Johnson 119Robin Briton 121John Ferrao 124PART IV DEALING WITH THE PRINT MEDIANewsquest 129Ian Murray 133PART V A MISCELLANY OF MEDIA WRITINGSThoughts About Broadcasting Contribution in the SouthPauline Brandt 137Navdip DhariwalAnver Jeevanjee 139Independent MembersMary Venetia Genis 142Di Bernstein 142Cultural Diversity in the Media Don John 143A Japanese Member's Perspective Yuri Layhe 145Diversity in Public Service Broadcasting Note and web-site reference 148Some of Our Recent Contributions Discussed at Quarterly Media Meetings Anver Jeevanjee 149Falling Media Audiences - MinoritiesAnver Jeevanjee 153Open Democracy Magazine: Articles by Ehsan Masood 156Verbal Pollution IIParvaneh Farid 157The story of our daily 'cuppa'Hazel Tan 160Europe's Blatant Arrogance Towards Other CulturesAnver Jeevanjee 163Discussion on the Necessity of a Balanced Presentation of Disciplines on Programmes and the Importance of Promoting Quality Role Models Anver Jeevanjee 167Black Classical Musicians: A Hidden History 169Conclusion Don John 103