BBC rejects ‘racism’ claims over ethnic minority only roles The BBC has rejected accusations that it was discriminatory to advertise scriptwriting drama roles which are only available to candidates […]

The BBC has rejected accusations that it was discriminatory to advertise scriptwriting drama roles which are only available to candidates from ethnic minority backgrounds.

The broadcaster condemned a front-page story in The Sun, headlined “Auntie is anti-white”, as “utterly ridiculous and irresponsible.”

The broadcaster advertised two assistant script editor roles, including one working on Holby City, paying £25,205 a year.

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White applicants who applied for the role received an email saying the posts were only open to black and ethnic minority (BAME) candidates.

“(BAME) groups are under-represented in the development teams in BBC Drama” –

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The “ring-fencing” is legal, because the posts were for year-long traineeships rather than jobs.

One rejected applicant for the positions reportedly complained: “Of course there was no guarantee I would have got the job, but to be told I wasn’t even allowed to apply because of the colour of my skin was appalling.”

The BBC has pledged to address a diversity deficit among its ranks and is working with the campaigner Lenny Henry to boost its BAME workforce.

Currently BAME employees account for 13.4% of BBC staff and the broadcaster has pledged to increase this to 15% by 2020.

‘Utterly ridiculous and irresponsible’

The BBC said in a statement: “As the Sun knows and has ignored, these are not jobs but training and development opportunities permitted under the Equality Act and to describe this as anti-white is utterly ridiculous and irresponsible. “As we have an under-representation of people from ethnic minority backgrounds in script editing roles at the BBC it’s the right thing to do.”

One of the advertised roles was based in London, working six months on Holby City, and six months in a development position.

The other was based in Cardiff or Glasgow. The candidate, paid £20,800, would split their time between development and production.

The traineeships do not guarantee a job at the end of them but applicants who are successful in the roles are expected to be given the opportunity to progress within the BBC.

Applicants for jobs at The Sun are told: “We consider all applicants based on their skills, experience and ability to do the job. We do not unfairly discriminate on the basis of convictions or other personal information.”

Tunde Ogungbesan, Head of Diversity, Inclusion and Succession at the BBC, said: “We are taking a fair, sensible and effective approach of targeted action where necessary, while at the same time developing a culture that will make diversity business as usual at the BBC. Judging by the public reaction to The Sun’s story, many people agree.”

@adamsherwin10