The chance of a Deaf actor appearing on your TV screen is set to increase with the news that Channel 4 have launched a new Diversity Charter.
Programmes ranging from dramas to factual series will now be judged on the diversity of the people shown in them, and if Channel 4’s executives miss their targets, they will be hit in the pocket – losing part of their annual bonus.
According to The Independent:
New commissioning diversity guidelines require Channel 4’s drama and comedies to include at least one lead character from an ethnic minority, LGBT or disabled background.
Entertainment shows – such as panel shows – must demonstrate, across a series, 25 per cent female on-screen representation as well as a minimum of 15 per cent guests or presenters who are LGBT, ethnic minority, disabled or “another underrepresented group.”
Read the full article here: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/tv-radio/channel-4-issues-strict-diversity-guidelines–and-executives-will-lose-bonuses-if-programmes-miss-them-9973447.html
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Hartmut
January 14, 2015
Hopefully not as a freak.
Cathy
January 14, 2015
Wow! Minority groups are nearly home and dry!! But viewers are not going to be any wiser are they?!? We will never know who is a lesbian or gay etc. That is not as obvious as someone in a wheelchair. And what happens when a deaf person is on a programme, but speaks? Will the deaf community complain? Will they demand a deaf person uses sign language? What if its not their first language, but Director insist under commercial pressure? If only 1 deaf person in the programme will they feel isolated amongst a hearing crew?
What if producers and directors cannot find the right characters for a part, but take on anyone just because they are gay, lesbian, transexual etc for fear of losing bonuses?
The wrong characters in a programme could kill it stone dead, before its got off the ground…….thereby defeating the objectives entirely!
It sounds like a brilliant move, but in reality this Diversity Charter is Political Correctness and will not necessarily promote minority groups for the good! Only time will tell how this “commercial experiment” will work out…..
Tim
January 15, 2015
‘It sounds like a brilliant move, but in my opinion this Diversity Charter is Political Correctness’
Fixed that for you, Cathy.
Cathy
January 16, 2015
Haha!! U have fixed that for me, have you Tim?! Thanks!! Wonder how you did that??