ABC issues new ‘diversity’ rules for TV content
The ABC has revealed new “diversity” rules requiring its TV shows to focus on and star Indigenous, “gender diverse” and other “under-represented” Aussies.A World War I drama about Gallipoli produced for the ABC would be required to focus on “diversity” among Diggers, including a 50 per cent female cast and Indigenous lead actors, under new guidelines announced by the national broadcaster today.
TV production companies wishing to work with the ABC must now meet minimum “diversity” requirements both in front and behind the camera, with a focus on “under-represented people and perspectives”.
The ABC’s new “Diversity and Inclusion Commissioning Guidelines”, which come into effect from today, cover screen content across genres including drama, comedy, children’s, factual and entertainment programs.
The guidelines generally require that TV content must be “about under-represented communities, backgrounds and experience”, or include at least one main cast member who is Indigenous, from a “diverse” background, disabled or identifies as LGBTQI+.
Additionally, at least half of the main cast and crew must be female or identify as “gender diverse” – the ABC had previously set a goal of 50-50 female representation among on-air news talent by the end of last year.
For non-scripted shows such as documentaries, the new guidelines say the content must “explicitly and predominantly (explore) issues of identity relating to under-represented groups, including Indigenous matters, gender (or) cultural diversity”, or have a “specific focus on LGBTQI+ communities, people with disability or other under-represented groups”.
Crucially, under the principle “nothing about us without us”, all productions about a specific “diverse” community or subject must include at least one person who is “representative of that diversity within the core creative team”.
Speaking to Nine Newspapers, the ABC’s head of drama, comedy and Indigenous programming, Sally Riley, said specific diversity requirements might differ depending on the nature of the program – but that a drama set on the front lines of Gallipoli, for example, would not automatically be exempt from casting women or Indigenous actors in lead roles.
“We know there were Aboriginal soldiers fighting in that war,” Ms Riley said.
According to the Australian War Memorial, 70 Indigenous men are believed to have served at Gallipoli, 13 of whom were killed in action. Between 250 and 300 died in action during World War I.
“And it wasn’t just about the men (on the battlefield) – it’s about the women and children who were left at home and kept the country running,” Ms Riley added. “We might ask, ‘How can we build in a storyline about a partner or mother of one of the soldiers?’”
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