DIVERSITY IN THE MEDIA

That this House commends the work of Lenny Henry, who has continuously campaigned for increased diversity in the media; notes that Mr Henry gave evidence to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee during its review of the future of the BBC prior to the Charter Renewal in 2016-17; is disappointed that between 2006 and 2012 the proportion of people working in the media from Black and Minority Ethnic backgrounds decreased by 30.9 per cent; states that the BBC has a responsibility to ensure that it allocates appropriate funding and support to make sure it is a diverse organisation that is representative of the British population; and calls on the Government and the BBC to accept the recommendations of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee to ensure that diversity in the media remains a top priority.