TV production companies must now meet minimum diversity requirements, ensuring the inclusion of “under-represented people and perspectives”, in order for their programs to be commissioned by the ABC.
Michael Carrington, ABC’s director of entertainment and specialist programming is reported as saying that externally produced series must be either about under-represented communities or experiences, or include at least one main cast member who is Indigenous Australian or from a culturally or linguistically diverse background, someone who lives with a disability or someone who identifies as LGBTQI plus.
Even more harsh is that production companies must also “demonstrate representation” of these communities among key staff such as writers, producers and directors; and at least half of the main cast and crew must be women or people who identify as “gender diverse”.
“But where are the provisions for those who identify as Christians,” asked Greg Bondar, spokesman for national advocacy organisation FamilyVoice Australia.
“The new self-righteous and ‘un-inclusive’ rules by the ABC have failed the majority of Australia’s mums and dads and are merely adopted to appease minorities once again.
“The new Diversity & Inclusion Commissioning Guidelines by the ABC lacks proper inclusion of the Christian worldview. The ABC Charter requires that it reflect the cultural diversity of the Australian community yet there is no mention of Christianity given that almost 52% of Australians still identify as people of faith.
“The ABC has once again sanctimoniously appointed itself as spokesman for political correctness at the expense of the majority of Australians,” said Greg Bondar.
“The ABC should reverse this appalling decision which will further marginalise the overwhelming majority of Australians who identify as Christians.
“Taxpayers shouldn’t be forced to fund this woke nonsense targeted at ensuring programming conforms to the ABC’s left-wing agenda.
“The Federal Government should urgently review the funding criteria for the ABC given this blatant social engineering,” added Mr Bondar.
