In today's MediaGuardian, Sunny Hundal writes about the BBC's decision to close its Asian Programming Unit (APU), and the decisions of both the corporation and Channel 4 to stop making programming specifically targeted at ethnic minority audiences through dedicated units, and instead to focus on making mainstream programming more culturally diverse and representative.
"Closing the APU might have had the right intentions behind it," one former unit employee tells Hundal. "In the past, they have tried to integrate their ethnic minority programming quota within mainstream departments. But has it worked? Can you name the last Asian programme you saw on the BBC that was not made by the APU?"
"The problem within the industry isn't necessarily about race – to me it's more about class," says Aaqil Ahmed, multicultural commissioning editor at Channel Four, in Hundal's piece.
"There are certain racial groups doing well, but to me they are often too similar in class and social culture to white, middle-class people to make a difference. I don't think there are enough executives in the media who realise that the industry is not being as representative."
So what policy should broadcasters be taking? Is Channel 4's decision to hire Oona King as head of diversity significant? Do minorities need or want targeted programming? And are broadcasters good enough at providing properly diverse programming that represents all groups of viewers – and if not, why not?
