THE ABC has ordered its managers to increase the proportion of journalists and producers from ethnic backgrounds by 60 per cent within two years.

The Australian reports a 12 per cent target by the end of 2018 has been set in the latest Equity and Diversity Plan by new managing director Michelle Guthrie.

Currently, only 157 “content makers” at the national broadcaster come from non-English speaking backgrounds (NESB), making up around 7.4 per cent of positions. In August last year, the figure plunged from 8.2 per cent.

ABC spokesman Nick Leys told The Australian NESB numbers had improved in the 2016 survey. “The ABC’s staffing mix is much more culturally ­diverse than the narrow NESB category reflects,” he said. “Many more employees are from culturally diverse backgrounds but speak English as their first ­language.”

The voluntary targets have been developed as a “guide” to ABC divisions “for ­consideration and adoption”, according to newspaper.

The ABC’s “diversity” push mirrors that of sister UK broadcaster the BBC. Earlier this month, a popular British radio host claimed he was axed from his position after 18 years for being a white man.

In a tweet announcing his dismissal, Jon Holmes wrote: “Sad to announce I’ve been axed from @BBCNowShow as ‘we want to recast with more women and diversity’ Tsk. And I didn’t even punch a producer.”