Jonty Archibald, Principal of Global Academy was asked to join Media Industry Leaders in a recent All Party Parliamentary Group discussion to explore how the diverse voices of the UK can be championed.
The virtual meeting, sponsored by Global took place on Friday 18th June and was chaired by Andy Carter MP. The session focused on how the broadcast sector can focus on being a diverse employment sector to represent the audiences which is represents.
The session looked at Diversity and Inclusion: a hugely important topic in broadcasting and asked questions on how industry leaders are truly tackling diversity at every level to create a level playing field? With the broadcast industry being a leader in pushing for internal diversification – the session explored how policymakers can both learn from their initiatives and implement policy frameworks to support a truly balanced media sector?
Jonty was on the panel alongside other key industry figures including:
Nikhat Choudhury, Co-Chair of Rise Diversity Network at Global
Cathy Taylor, Principal in the Broadcasting & Online Content Group at Ofcom
Babita Bahal, Head of Creative Diversity at Channel 4
Simone Thomas, Head of Diversity & Inclusion at Bauer Media
Kaye Elliott, Director of High-end Television at ScreenSkills
When asked what the industry needs to do entice people to join at every level – Jonty added:
Organisations need to do work in partnership more – it’s really important. For example, each year we work with Global to provide thirty mentoring relationships so that all students can have the chance to learn and work from industry professionals. We also work with industry professionals to provide real-life opportunities and briefs that make learning real – giving students the chance to learn from those doing it. We call it a career based curriculum!
The All-Party Parliamentary Media Group is a forum for discussion within Parliament on public policy as it affects the media sector, formed in 1992.
Its membership is drawn from all political parties and both Houses of Parliament. It meets regularly to receive an address and have a short discussion with key players from the media industry, its regulatory agencies, and government ministers. It is an impartial, efficiently-run organisation, which provides a useful interface between Parliament, the industry and other key stakeholders. It makes a valuable contribution to raising the quality of debate on media policy in Parliament and is greatly valued both by ministers and by industry.
Click HERE to watch the full video from Jonty and other industry leaders below – “Tuning into a broader range of voices: championing diversity in the UK media”
