More Black People On British Television

[Theblip]

Am I alone in noticing that since the awful George Floyd death in the USA and the consequent rise of the BLM movement, there’s been a big increase in black people on British television? Shouldn’t presenters, experts etc be chosen for their ability / talent rather than anything else?

[barry1010]

I haven't noticed. As long as they are good at their job it really doesn't matter to me.

[pixie374]

Who says they aren't?

[andy-hughes]

Theblip - // Shouldn’t presenters, experts etc be chosen for their ability / talent rather than anything else? //

They should, and to infer otherwise is to suggest that such individuals are chosen for their ethnicity first, and their abilities second.

[THECORBYLOON]

Both my parents died in hospital and in the months following each death, I noticed there were a lot more ambulances out and about.

It's likely the numbers of ambulances on the roads had not increased dramatically and it was only because I was more aware of them.

[barry1010]

Same as when you buy a different car, Corby. You notice lots more of that particular car.

[retrocop]

I have noticed an increase of BAME presenters on the London ITV Channel especially the local News. There is an increase, also, with the Weather presenters. I recall when Trevor McDonald was probably the only BAME representative on the media. I suppose as long as they can read an autocue clearly and are articulate what does it matter?

[woofgang]

yup, there is even a name for it.
https://www.damninteresting.com/the-baader-meinhof-phenomenon/

[Sqad]

Not only more black people,but particularly onthe Sport's channels, more women.

[anneasquith]

Sqad, women on sports channels, surely you approve ?

[ToraToraTora]

I don't think it's changed since Floydgate, they were already there, especially on the ABBC.

[Sqad]

Anne.?....well,I am slowly getting used to the idea as long as they are "easy on the eye" if you know what I mean.

[THECORBYLOON]

Noticing an increase does not always indicate an actual increase.

[anneasquith]

Yes sqad. ‘ I know what you mean ‘ ;-)

[jno]

coloured women play cricket, who knew? But we tend to hear them rather than see them.

[Ken4155]

A long standing relationship ends and every song on the radio is a love song.
Coincidence, nothing more.

[Baldric]

Oh no, Women on the Sports Channels, what's going on?

[Theblip]

Andy Hughes, you seriously think that isn’t the case much of the time? Quotas need to be filled. Boxes need to be ticked

[pixie374]

The Blip, that's how you choose to see it. When you consider that people white and male still have the majority of the best paid jobs, even though they are a minority... you have to ask why.
It seems sheer arrogance to suggest that nobody else could be better- or even, equally as good- without assuming it's about boxticking. Fairness wasn't coming naturally.

[Sqad]

Pixie

"When you consider that people white and male still have the majority of the best paid jobs, even though they are a minority... you have to ask why."
Are the white population now in the minority in the UK?

[ichkeria]

The idea that people should be chosen “on talent” implying that one is dumbing down by employing more black people, women etc is wholly spurious in lot of cases, especially I’d have thought in this one.
In the world of punditry, where I have noticed a change, I doubt if there’s much difference between lots of the likely candidates. Therefore a bit of diverse rebalancing is to be welcomed.