Industry body Radiocentre has welcomed Ofcom’s latest annual report into diversity and equal opportunities in radio.
Published today (July 31), the second annual report sets out a comprehensive picture of the radio workforce and what broadcasters are doing to promote equality and diversity within their organisations.
This year’s report is the first to include year-on-year changes, and shows a shrinking ‘data gap’ as more broadcasters report on areas of diversity including sexual orientation, disability, and religion and beliefs.
We are making progress but of course there is more work to do
Siobhan Kenny
Radiocentre
Radiocentre CEO Siobhan Kenny said: “This second round of diversity data on the radio industry provides further helpful insight into the makeup of our sector. Ofcom’s survey dovetails with our own new diversity report, which highlighted that some of the smallest radio stations have the most powerful stories to tell on diversity.
“Over the past year we have also launched the Young Audio Awards, new awards for 8-18 year olds that aim to nurture and encourage the next generation of broadcasting talent, as well as hosting another joint industry radio masterclass. We are making progress but of course there is more work to do.”
Ofcom commended the parts of the radio sector that have made 'significant strides' in the last year, but the report also acknowledges that initiatives and actions to tackle under-representation do not always have an instant, positive effect on the data, due to the time it takes to bring about culture change.
To compile data for the report, broadcasters with 20 or more employees provided Ofcom with data on the make-up of their organisations. It was mandatory for stations to provide information about the gender, ethnicity and disability status of their employees, while data on age, sexual orientation and religion were voluntary.
Ofcom’s study follows the publication of Radiocentre’s complementary report Tuning In To Diversity.
