RIDG

The Radio Industry Diversity Group

The Radio Industry Diversity Group brings together the BBC, commercial broadcasters, unions and other radio organisations. Its aim is to ensure that radio in the UK reflects the full diversity of the population, in its programmes and in the people who make them.

If you are looking for information or advice on diversity, The UK Film Council’s Diversity Toolkit is a good place to start. Skillset also have a dedicated Diversity section on their website, providing support and advice.

23/09/08: RIDG LAUNCH REPRESENT!

The radio industry has teamed up with media and education unions, students and lecturers at 50 universities and colleges round the country in a campaign to interest more ethnic minority students in radio.

The Radio Industry Diversity Group, comprising major employers and unions in radio, and the Student Radio Association are launching the initiative in freshers’ week.

The “Represent!” campaign is in response to employers in the commercial sector and the BBC who told the Radio Industry Diversity Group (RIDG) that student radio is a key entry point into an industry which has substantial under-representation of black and ethnic minority (BME) workers. If more BME students get involved in student radio, a couple of years down the line it is hoped it will lead to an increase in experienced BME applicants for radio industry jobs.

The Student Radio Association, a member of the RIDG, represents more than 70 radio stations at universities and colleges round the country. Run by volunteers, these stations spark interest and develop new talent from each new intake of students and are a key route into a radio career. The Student Radio Diversity Group (SRDG) was set up under their auspices to take the campaign forward jointly with the RIDG.

Major broadcasters are actively supporting the campaign. From the BBC, Radio 1, 1Xtra, Radio 4, 6 Music, Asian Network and 5Live are backing it. Commercial stations supporting it include Kiss fm, Choice, Galaxy and Xfm.

BECTU, the broadcasting union, is also playing a leading role in the campaign which has the support of the TUC and the University and College Union (representing lecturers) and the National Union of Students.

Posters will go up on campuses all over the country during freshers’ week drawing attention to the local student radio station, and lecturers and the NUS will draw students’ attention to the campaign. The SRA will issue a programme pack giving suggestions of programmes the 50 participating radio stations might want to consider running during the month-long campaign.