Ofcom’s announcement follows a five-year review of progress, which identified where Ofcom could help drive further improvements so that the sector truly reflects the diverse audiences it serves.

Ofcom says that with greater numbers of people leaving the TV and radio industry, the progress made in recent years to increase diversity will not be sustainable unless greater efforts are made to retain, and not simply attract, a diverse range of employees at all levels.

Ofcom’s approach, therefore, has a firm focus on driving equity and inclusion, and helping broadcasters to embed diversity at all levels of their organisation. As well as making changes to the way Ofcom gathers diversity information from broadcasters, it is refreshing its industry guidance to reflect the latest best practice.

From Spring 2023, Ofcom will launch a new data collection toolkit for broadcasters, which includes:

• a new equity, diversity and inclusion self-assessment tool for qualitative data collection and evaluation;
• an expanded, user-friendly quantitative data collection questionnaire; and
• updated guidance for broadcasters, including specific recommendations on inclusive working practices.

Ofcom has also published its report on the diversity of workforces in television and radio 2021-2022. This includes high-level diversity data, provided voluntarily, from eight of the largest broadcasters. To access the changes Ofcom is making to its data gathering and for a link to the report, click here.