BBC Blocks White People from Applying for Production Job
Position ‘only open to black, Asian and ethnically diverse candidates’
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British public-funded broadcaster BBC has triggered a firestorm by advertising for a production management job that white people are not allowed to apply for.
The left-wing broadcaster is offering a one-year £17,810 ($24,600) trainee role but it is "only open to black, Asian, and ethnically diverse candidates."
The move has caused a backlash among viewers on social media.
Some of whom called for the BBC to be defunded.
“Imagine the riots if it had been the other way round,” one furious critic mused.
Many also questioned whether the state-funded broadcaster may be illegally discriminating.
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Positive discrimination is unlawful under the Equality Act 2010, according to The Daily Mail.
But "positive action" is allowed for trainee and internship roles in areas where there is under-representation.
The advert was posted online by Creative Access, a company that aims to boost the number of ethnic minorities working in the creative, media, and arts industries.
Whoever gets the post will have the chance to work on popular BBC shows including Springwatch, The One Show, and The Truth About series.
The advert by Creative Access says: "The successful candidate will be someone with a desire to build a career in the TV industry and a demonstrable interest in BBC Studios."
A trainee researcher position with the Corporation’s Bristol-based Natural History Unit was also recently advertised as being open only to candidates from ethnic minority backgrounds.
The BBC will not disclose how many training roles were similarly advertised, but a spokesman said: "The BBC is a welcoming, inclusive organization committed to representing and reflecting our audiences.
"We support a scheme organized by Creative Access, an independent organization dedicated to increasing diversity in the creative industries, which provides development roles, fully in line with the Equality Act."
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The BBC has previously talked of its "pride" in helping people from under-represented groups get their first break into the media.
Some 18 percent of all highest earners now come from black and ethnic minority backgrounds – a rise of six percent in the past four years.
BBC director-general Tim Davie has said that the lack of diversity among its top-paid stars means the broadcaster "has more work to do" on the issue.
