West Yorkshire Mayor, Tracy Brabin wants public service broadcasters to better represent working-class and Northern communities.
At an event later today, she’ll argue that the government should give broadcasters the “tools and support” they need to allow them to grow the creative industries outside of London.
Brabin will also address the future of the BBC, saying that better representation “is the only way” to maintain support for public service broadcasting.
“Our public service broadcasters are the backbone of Britain’s creative strength. They hold power to account, support independent producers and give a voice to people who might otherwise be ignored – and they’ve been hugely supportive partners in the Great North Creative,” she says.
“But if we want a creative sector that truly reflects the whole country, we must ensure that public service broadcasters do more, because too much of the industry is still concentrated in London and the South East.
“The North has the talent and authentic perspectives – and we need broadcasters with the ability and confidence to bring that full diversity to the screen. With the BBC in Salford, Channel 4 in Leeds and major creative hubs across the North, we have the foundations of a creative powerhouse. The government needs to ensure public service broadcasters step up to help us build it.”
Great North Creative is a partnership formed last year by Northern Mayors and other partners to champion fairer representation and regional growth across the sector. Founder signatories are BBC, Channel 4 and ITV.
However, Brabin will point out that the around 70% of the creative sector’s economic activity remains in the South East.
She wants “clearer, stronger requirements” from government and updates rules around tax changes, to attract more regional production.
She’ll be speaking at “Is TV for the Working Class? – Bridging TV’s Class Divide” at Manchester Met University.
Earlier this year, Edinburgh Television Festival discussed why class was the final taboo of diversity and today, Sinead Rocks, Channel 4’s Director of Nations and Regions explained to Prolific North how the broadcaster is trying to remove barriers to broadcast careers.
