BBC quits Stonewall diversity scheme over impartiality concerns

 | 
11/10/2021

The BBC has quit a diversity programme run by the LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall, saying it believes coverage of transgender issues should be considered an impartiality topic that requires the inclusion of critical voices. The national broadcaster said it would no longer be a member of the Diversity Champions programme, under which the corporation paid Stonewall for ongoing advice and assessments on creating inclusive workplaces. The BBC director general, Tim Davie, told staff it was “unquestionable” that its ongoing participation in the scheme “has led some organisations and individuals to consider that the BBC cannot be impartial when reporting on public policy debates where Stonewall is taking an active, campaigning, role”. He made clear that the BBC’s journalism had not been compromised by the involvement. He said: “While I do not think that our journalism has been influenced by our involvement in the Diversity Champions programme, not renewing our involvement is the correct move at this time to minimise the risk of perceived bias and avoid any perception that engagement with the programme is influencing our own decision-making.” Stonewall said it was a shame the BBC had chosen to withdraw and added that “many of the arguments against trans people today are simply recycled homophobia from the 80s and 90s”.

Share this:

Latest Global News

Added on: 12/06/2024
12/05/2024
Target has failed to persuade a judge in Florida to dismiss a lawsuit that accused the retailer of deceiving shareholders after its sales of …
Added on: 12/06/2024
12/05/2024
Kenyan Justice Reuben Nyakundi ruled that the prosecution presented sufficient evidence to prove Jacktone Odhiambo’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in the murder of …
Added on: 12/06/2024
12/05/2024
A Georgian opposition leader has been dragged from his party office by police and others have been physically attacked, after the prime minister vowed …

Explore LGBTQ+ Issues

Other News from ,

Added on: 12/06/2024
A Georgian opposition leader has been dragged from his party office by police and others have been physically attacked, after the prime minister vowed …
Added on: 12/05/2024
They come out every night. They’re shot at with rubber bullets and they’re fired upon by water cannons and they’re detained and they’re hospitalised. …
Added on: 12/05/2024
As many as a dozen individuals rounded up at gay clubs in Moscow this past weekend have been found guilty of “hooliganism” by a …