British Broadcasting Corporation Race Equality Scheme
Foreword by the Director-General of the BBC
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- Summary of the Race Equality Scheme
- Overview of TV Licensing
- TV Licensing objectives
Foreword by the Director-General of the BBCI am delighted to join Sir Michael in introducing our Race Equality Scheme, which was recently reviewed and extended for the next 12 months while we await new duties under future equality legislation. The BBC is deeply committed to ensuring diversity is embedded within everything that we do. Responding meaningfully to our responsibilities under the Race Equality Duty is one part of our Diversity Strategy, and our Race Equality Scheme sets out our commitments across those of our public services which are subject to the duty. I am extremely proud of what we have achieved over the last three years both in relation to the Race Equality Duty and our broader commitment to diversity. Making sure that anyone can buy a TV licence and that no one is left behind in the switch to digital television is a critical responsibility for us, and ensuring that those delivering services on our behalf do so in an inclusive and non-discriminatory way has also been a key feature. It is one of our key challenges for the coming year to maintain the high standards we have set. Our Journalism Trainee Scheme and Journalist Talent Pool have been hugely successful in attracting greater ethnic and social diversity among trainee journalists, and were shortlisted for an award by Race for Opportunity. Fantastic content loved by our audiences has included No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, Small Island, Mrs. Mandela, seasons on India and Pakistan and Abolition. I am looking forward to taking the chair of the Cultural Diversity Network and achieving more in partnership with other broadcasters. There is more to do of course; our audiences and the BBC Trust have high expectations of us and rightly so. Diversity should be an integral part of how we operate precisely because of how we are funded. We look forward to preparing our Corporate Equality and Diversity Plan, based on our Diversity Strategy and informed by our diverse audiences, which we will publish in April 2011. In the meantime my directors and I will remain vigilant about our progress on race equality through the BBC Diversity Board, which I chair. Mark Thompson Summary of the Race Equality SchemeReview and Extension for 2010-11The BBC was due to review in full its Race Equality Scheme and, in advance of the Equality Bill, develop a Corporate Equality and Diversity Plan to replace all three of its equality schemes. However, keen to understand fully any new duties, the BBC has decided to wait for the new legislation to pass before setting a new three year plan. This document represents a reviewed and extended Race Equality Scheme which has been extended for 12 months. This process has involved reviewing each of the objectives and actions on the basis of progress, evidence gathered to date, involvement and consultation. It also contains progress reporting for the third year of the RES and an update of the substantive document. The BBC will develop a single plan on the breadth of its equality and diversity commitments and activity. A Corporate Equality and Diversity Plan will be developed to respond to the new equality duty, ready by 1 April 2011. (Note: These timings are based on the proposed legislative timetable which is yet to be finalised by government.) This plan will enable the organisation to communicate how it is: Meeting new legal requirements in the shape of a new equality duty Keeping diverse audiences at the heart of everything the BBC does Presenting a positive and coherent picture of the complete range of our equality and diversity activity Overview of TV Licensing‘TV Licensing’ is a trade mark of the BBC and is used under licence by companies contracted by the BBC to administer the collection of television licence fees and enforcement of the television licensing system. (Note: The majority of administration is contracted to Capita Business Services Ltd., with cash related payment schemes contracted to Revenues Management Services Ltd. Over-the-counter services are provided by PayPoint plc. Marketing and public relations activities are contracted to the AMV Consortium. This consortium is made up of the following four companies: Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO Ltd., Fishburn Hedges Boys Williams Ltd., PHD Media Ltd. and Proximity London Ltd. The BBC is a public authority in respect of its television licensing functions and retains overall responsibility.). In 2003, TVL developed a Race Equality Scheme which set out how it aimed to put race equality at the centre of its work. The Scheme was incorporated into the BBC’s first Race Equality Scheme (RES) in 2005. Since then, TVL has monitored its activity against the previous Schemes and reassessed its existing policies and functions in order to formulate high-level objectives. A comprehensive Action Plan (reviewed and updated for 2010-11) has also been established to ensure that people of all ethnic and cultural groups experience and receive appropriate and accessible TVL information, advice and targeted support services. TV Licensing objectives1 To communicate, wherever practicable, in a way that is accessible and appropriate to facilitate a clear understanding of television licensing obligations for all sections of the community. 2 To ensure that all BBC TVL staff and contractors fully understand their duty to promote race equality and are active in implementing actions identified. 3 To continually review and, wherever possible, improve or develop service support (including technology) to provide accessible and convenient support and advice services and to encourage all sections of the community to engage with TVL as necessary. 4 To develop and maintain a strategic and systematic approach to integrating race equality into all TVL activities. 5 To maximise the potential for data and information management systems to enhance and promote race equality. 6 To develop and maintain strategic leadership and commitment to the broad implementation of the RES and the TVL Action Plan. 7 To ensure that all payment methods and processes are accessible and appropriate for a range of needs and lifestyles. 8 To ensure a strategic approach to integrating race equality into all TVL procurement activities. Supporting each of these objectives is a list of specific actions. Examples of some of these are:
Conducting equality impact assessments on relevant communications and policies which are being developed or reviewed. Continuing to make communications representative and available in a range of styles, formats and languages. Continuing to carry out research to determine whether customers from differing ethnic or cultural groups have varying experiences of TVL. Continuing to impose contractual obligations on contractors to comply with legal obligations including the Race Equality Duty and this Scheme and monitoring their compliance. Download 0.85 Mb. Share with your friends:
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