BBC sparks outrage after job on The One Show is only open to candidates from ‘ethnically diverse background’
Applicants must also be male, older than 30 and ’ideally’ boast a regional accent
THE BBC has sparked outrage after again rejecting white working applicants — stating that only those from a “ethnically diverse background” need apply for a new role.
A casting call, seen by The Sun, was sent round by a producer working for BBC1’s The One Show on Thursday asking for African and Afro-Caribbean candidates.
The email - sent from a BBC address - said the Beeb was looking for potential presenters for the prime time show, listing a range of specific requirements for applicants.
The sender, a casting producer who has worked with the corporation for more than two years, said journalistic and live experience was “ideal” but they must be from a minority background, male and older than 30.
The email also stated that the job would “ideally” go to someone who had a regional accent, adding “they are eager to see people who may live in the North West”.
Under the Equality Act it is illegal to discriminate against job applicants on grounds of race, unless crucial to the role.
Experts have now slammed the job advert.
Dr Jonathan Lord, Salford University’s lecturer in HRM & Employment Law, said he was “flabbergasted” by the email.
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He said: “This is something out of the David Brent book of recruitment.
“This smacks of the BBC trying to implement their own agenda above employment legislation which has been introduced to protect people from this type of discrimination.
“This job advert clearly targets men, aged 30 from the north west and BME background. They would have to have a Genuine Occupational Requirement to recruit someone of this background. I can’t see how they can justify in wanting to recruit someone of these characteristics. Why can’t someone who’s 21, female and from the south do the role?”
Last night a spokeswoman for the BBC said the approach complied with UK employment law.
She said: “Our freelance reporter roles are open to all, and we always seek to ensure the BBC reflects the ethnic and regional make up of the UK.”
It comes just days after it advertised two £25,000 junior scriptwriting roles for shows like Holby City - stating they were only for people from “ethnic minority backgrounds.
The Sun revealed how the Beeb is running four recruitment schemes open only to black, Asian or ethnic minorities.
It has recruited 17 presenters and ten writers in two years via the Creative Diversity Talent Fund, Senior Leadership Development (Clore) Programme, Assistant Commissioner Development Programme and Creative Access Trainee Scheme.
A spokesman for the BBC insisted the adverts were intended to redress the balance of a lack of minorities working in scriptwriting roles.
They said: “This is a training and development programme designed to address an under-representation of people from ethnic minority backgrounds in script editing roles.”
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