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TV networks hit back at ‘diversity report’ criticizing them for having too many white presenters – pointing out they haven’t looked beyond the news
Channel Seven and SBS have responded to a report claiming a lack of on-screen diversity – saying the author’s methodology is flawed and too limited.
While all main channels took service from Media Diversity Australia’s report, Seven were singled out due to the ‘lack of diverse voices’ on Sunrise.
Some of the networks included in the report have questioned its methodology and accuracy, with Seven having some issues with it.
Channel Seven and SBS have fired back at the methodology behind a report claiming a lack of diversity on Australia’s free-to-air networks. Pictured are Sunrise hosts Natalie Barr and David Koch
The network said the report should have included all of their programming, such as reality TV and entertainment, not just news.
They also pointed out that they have made great strides in recruiting to find “professionals from diverse backgrounds across all sectors of the company.”
SBS also questioned why its news programs in Arabic and Mandarin were not included in the data,” according to news.com.au.
The Media Diversity Australia report claimed Sunrise’s on-screen portrayal ‘doesn’t even come close’ to reflecting Australian society
Sunrise is hosted by David Koch and Natalie Barr, with Mark Beretta as the show’s sports host, Edwina Bartholomew for entertainment, and Sam Mac for weather
Sunrise is hosted by David Koch and Natalie Barr, with Mark Beretta as the show’s sports host, Edwina Bartholomew for entertainment and Sam Mac for weather.
The Media Diversity Australia report claimed that Sunrise’s on-screen portrayal “doesn’t even come close” to being reflective of Australian society.
The report looked at news and current affairs programs on free-to-air channels over a two-week period and analyzed the diversity of reporters and presenters.
It included programs such as The Project and 60 Minutes, but no regional news bulletins, which may have resulted in several non-white presenters being omitted from the data.
Channel Nine’s Today show was also criticized but received some praise for hiring Indigenous woman Brooke Boney as an entertainment reporter
ABC’s News Breakfast (pictured) gained recognition for featuring native AFL star Tony Armstrong as a sports presenter
According to the report, Anglo-Celtic on-air talent was overrepresented on every network with the exception of SBS and NITV, where Anglo-Celtic and Europeans were outnumbered and even underrepresented.
Although Channel 10 and Nine were also criticized in the report, they did receive some minor diversity points.
Nine was praised for having Indigenous Gamilaroi woman Brooke Boney on the Today show as the entertainment reporter, while Studio 10 has Narelda Jacobs, who is Indigenous, as the lead presenter.
Studio 10 host Narelda Jacobs (pictured), who is Indigenous, was named in the report
ABC’s News Breakfast gained recognition for featuring native AFL star Tony Armstrong as a sports presenter, while their Weekend Breakfast show was co-hosted by Singaporean-Australian Fauziah Ibrahim.
Jacobs has been an outspoken advocate for more diversity in the media, tellingly SBS earlier this year that more work needs to be done in the area.
“The conversation has been weighted for the longest time, all white voices,” she said.
“And lately we’re starting to see the balance come back with women, minority people and all the marginalized voices, but we haven’t quite got it back in balance yet.”