Diversity
Channel 4's remit is to innovate and appeal to everyone - different cultures, nationalities, religious persuasions, physical and mental abilities, sexual orientation, races and ages. You see this everyday through the scope of films, documentaries, dramas and entertainment programmes we transmit on air.
In everything we do we seek to respect people for who they are, not what they are. We judge people only for the way they do their job and for what they can contribute. We aim to foster an environment in which everyone feels free to contribute without fear and to maximise his or her potential without unfair impediment.
Notwithstanding the fact that we are currently facing some of the most challenging economic conditions in Channel 4's history, we remain strongly committed to diversity and achieving the objectives set out in our future vision document, Next on 4. Channel 4 will make a substantial investment across a range of on-air, online and "real world" development initiatives a proportion of which will be used specifically for industry training and outreach. Read Next on 4.
Read Channel 4's general Diversity Policy.
We have worked in partnership with industry experts, in the independent sector and other stakeholders to help us achieve real improvements in our casting and on-screen representation of cultural diversity and disability. We've compiled some of their tips into a Guide to Improving On Screen Diversity.
Channel 4's Equality Scheme
Channel 4 is 100% committed to celebrating diversity in all its forms as well as the promotion of equality of gender, race, disability and cultural diversity. Our Equality Scheme sets out how we make that happen, over and above our statutory requirements,and outlines many of the proactive activities in these areas both inside Channel 4 and outside with the wider community. Read Channel 4's Equality Scheme.
Read Channel 4's staff Disability Policy and Questions & Answers.
Monitoring
Channel 4 also undertakes regular employment monitoring to ensure that no discrimination takes place at any level within its organisation. Read Channel 4's monitoring report for 2007/08.
Industry Networks
We are a founder and active member of the Cultural Diversity Network (CDN). The CDN seeks to provide a platform for collective action on the key issues of diversity in the media.
We are a founder and active member of the Broadcasting and Creative Industries Disability Network (BCIDN). The BCIDN brings together broadcasters and others in the creative industries to share best practice and help promote real opportunities for disabled people to work on screen and in production.
