Mipcom Panelists Talk Diversity, Inclusion: ‘We Need to Be Cheerleaders, Not Gatekeepers’

variety.com:

Marta Balaga “We need to be cheerleaders, not gatekeepers,” said UKTV’s commissioning editor Sarah Asante, during a discussion at Mipcom on diversity and inclusion in the TV industry. “I have always heard that phrase: ‘gatekeepers.’ Barriers to access is a massive issue in this industry.

Everyone trying to get in has a story about ‘having to know someone, having to be the son of a CEO or the daughter of a manager.’ That’s true, but there is a good number of commissioners of my cohort, who have my focus on how to tell the best stories from the biggest range of people.” “This industry is always saying we need more content, but then they ask: ‘Oh, where are your credits?’ You don’t live up to what you say.” Talking about putting disability front and center, Asante mentioned “Dave,” featuring three wheelchair-using leads, and “Dead Canny,” a working-class sitcom about a girl with supernatural powers. “What’s really interesting about this one is that in the UK, we have a real class issue.

Diversity of accent, region is something that’s really lacking on our screens.” Authenticity in casting is crucial, but also making sure the people in the crew have a stake in the storytelling, she noted.

Adding that London and the South of the U.K. are already represented in programming. “All too often, production companies will pitch a great regional show and send a busload of Londoners up there to make it.