Channel 4 is embroiled in a diversity controversy following the appointment of four white directors to its board, which has sparked a protest from within the organization for 'lagging behind its own targets'. The broadcaster is accused of not meeting its own diversity targets with these appointments, despite one of the five new appointees being non-white, a proportion of 20% in a country where 18% are ethnic minority. The situation has been further complicated by the UK government's decision to block the appointment of an ethnic minority woman to the Channel 4 board. Rozina Breen, an ex-BBC executive recommended by Ofcom, was vetoed by ministers for a third time, with no explanation provided. This has deepened the diversity row, with Channel 4 Chairman Ian Cheshire commenting on the broadcaster's failure to meet diversity targets. Political commentators Ian Collins and Robert Taylor have slammed the focus on diversity targets, arguing that the ability to do the job should be the priority rather than skin color.
'Channel 4 is very much being hoisted by its own identitarian petard.' Dr. Rakib Ehsan, reacts to Channel 4 launching a protest against the appointment of four white directors to its board, in a row over ethnic diversity. https://t.co/QLYHE1uFvQ
Ian Collins and political commentator Robert Taylor slam Channel 4’s chairman for saying the broadcaster is falling behind its own diversity targets. “Are these people ill?” @iancollinsuk https://t.co/RngtCoNoaI
Channel 4’s diversity row has deepened after it emerged ministers blocked an ethnic minority woman from joining the broadcaster’s board https://t.co/IKADO4AvjP
Channel 4 in diversity row as four white directors appointed to board https://t.co/DLw5C0PT5T
Channel 4 Chairman Ian Cheshire has complained the broadcaster isn't meeting their own 'diversity targets' with the appointment of four new white directors. What matters is their ability to do the job, not the colour of their skin. https://t.co/OC1AuT9i6g https://t.co/Ia9Syzaitl
Channel 4 has launched a protest against the appointment of four white directors to its board – even though one of the five new appointees is non-white, a proportion of 20% in a country where 18% are ethnic minority. https://t.co/2IqxxWrMpn
Exclusive: The government has blocked a woman of colour from being appointed to Channel 4's board for a third time amid a growing diversity row. Ex-BBC executive Rozina Breen was recommended by Ofcom, but ministers vetoed her without explaining why. https://t.co/3jo2zR57CF
UK Government Blocks Woman Of Color Joining Channel 4 Board Amid Diversity Row https://t.co/rSM2B1u85x
Channel 4 in diversity row over white bosses 'lagging behind its own targets' https://t.co/5EZVbSHRkZ
"Channel 4 has launched a protest against the appointment of four white directors to its board in a row over ethnic diversity..." Have those doing the protesting learned nothing from the Claudine Gay affair? https://t.co/ZyVEvknpgT
🔴 Channel 4 in diversity row over white bosses Read this front page story here ⬇️ https://t.co/nh05KMrpQx