BBC’s trainee journalist scheme ‘is discriminatory’

Posted 02/06/2010

White job applicants at the BBC could be disadvantaged in interviews because the corporation is favouring ethnic minority candidates.

This is the suggestion of new figures published by the Telegraph, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act.

They show that 47 per cent of the places on a Journalism Trainee Scheme have gone to minority applicants since 2007, resulting in many white candidates being turned down for places.

It is currently illegal for companies to discriminate against potential employees based on gender, but one man said he felt disadvantaged after being asked about his experience on reporting for minority audiences.

“We work hard to actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds … The allocation of places is based solely on the candidates’ performance,” a BBC spokesperson insisted.

Employers may be prosecuted under the Race Relations Act 1976 if they are found to be discriminating against people because of their race, religion, gender, disabilities, sexuality or age.