Media
Ross criticises BBC over ethnic minorities
Published Sunday, Mar 4 2007, 11:35 GMT | By Daniel Kilkelly
Jonathan Ross criticised BBC executives over their treatment of ethnic minorities yesterday.
Speaking on his live BBC Radio 2 morning show, Ross claimed that the corporation prefers to recruit black people as security guards and cleaners rather than offering them work on "proper shows".
"How many black people have they got working on proper shows?" Ross asked. "They are either standing on the door or carrying a cloth."
He added that he believes the BBC needs to work harder to ensure that it is offering racial equality in employment.
A spokeswoman for the corporation insisted: "The BBC is committed to ensuring that the organisation has a mixed and diverse workforce to guarantee a good understanding of the whole BBC audience, which includes people from a wide range of ethnic and social backgrounds.
"BBC employment targets to be met by December 2007 are as follows: 12.5% ethnic minority employees in the workforce; and 7% of senior managers."
She added: "As far as what Jonathan Ross said - he was expressing his personal opinions."
Speaking on his live BBC Radio 2 morning show, Ross claimed that the corporation prefers to recruit black people as security guards and cleaners rather than offering them work on "proper shows".
"How many black people have they got working on proper shows?" Ross asked. "They are either standing on the door or carrying a cloth."
He added that he believes the BBC needs to work harder to ensure that it is offering racial equality in employment.
A spokeswoman for the corporation insisted: "The BBC is committed to ensuring that the organisation has a mixed and diverse workforce to guarantee a good understanding of the whole BBC audience, which includes people from a wide range of ethnic and social backgrounds.
"BBC employment targets to be met by December 2007 are as follows: 12.5% ethnic minority employees in the workforce; and 7% of senior managers."
She added: "As far as what Jonathan Ross said - he was expressing his personal opinions."
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