New research suggesting policies to address racism and improve diversity in UK newsrooms are failing, is to be launched at an event hosted by the Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity at Birmingham City University and the Film & TV Charity.

The report, “Structural racism in UK newsrooms: Experiences of Black journalists”, researched and written by Dr Aida Al-Kaisy on behalf of the Ethical Journalism Network and funded by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust, will be launched at the Film & TV Charity’s London office on Monday 27 March 2023. 

Based on 27 in-depth interviews that took place with Black journalists and stakeholders who have worked or are currently working in national mainstream media newsrooms, across print, online and broadcast media, Dr Al-Kaisy’s research found racial stereotypes across newsrooms, overwhelming agreement that bigotry is not taken seriously in the newsroom and frustration that policies to address “diversity” are not working. The report also carries nine recommendations and specific action points that newsrooms can implement now to address these and other issues.  

Marcus Ryder MBE, Head of External Consultancies at the Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity at Birmingham City University, said: “News organisations across the UK cannot report accurately, impartially and objectively on the world until racism in their own newsrooms is addressed.

“While this in-depth report should concern everyone working in the news industry, the findings have repercussions on how democracy in our society works, which stories are heard and most importantly who holds power to account. Dr Al-Kaisy’s research once again demonstrates the need for the news industry at all levels to review their working practices as a matter of priority, address the scourge of institutional racism and establish better representation.”

The research will be officially launched with a panel discussion between Keme Nzerem (News anchor and presenter at Channel 4 News, Trustee of the Ethical Journalism Network),Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff (Managing Editor of Skin Deep), Rozina Breen (CEO of Bureau of Investigative Journalism), Dr Aida Al-Kaisy (Ethical Journalism Network) and chaired by Marcus Ryder (Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity).