The Stage

Indies to help black and ethnic minority talent get into radio

Published Tuesday 6 January 2009 at 15:55 by Matthew Hemley

Black and ethnic minority playwrights and performers are being offered the chance to network with independent radio producers at an event being held to enhance diversity in the medium.

Meet the Radio Indies will give black and ethnic media professionals the opportunity to sign up to a one to one meeting with a number of independent executives responsible for supplying programmes to the BBC and commercial radio.

Participants will be able to use the opportunity to pitch ideas or to seek advice on how to develop their own careers in radio.

The event is jointly hosted by the Radio Independents Group, Bectu and the National Union of Journalists, with support from the London Development Agency and the southern and eastern regional council of the Trades Union Congress.

Megan Dobney, regional secretary for the southern and eastern region of the TUC, said: “Radio thrives on new talent and creativity, but too many ethnic minority workers face barriers to recruitment, commissions and progression. By bringing ethnic minority workers and radio indies together, we can help establish new networks, helping the radio indies to discover new talent and opening up opportunities for a new generation of black and ethnic minority radio professionals.”

Meet the Radio Indies takes place on Thursday, January 29, from 11am to 5pm at the TUC’s Congress House in London.

The event, which will also feature presentations from BBC commissioners and workshops outlining how people can work more effectively with radio production companies, is open to those already working in the media industry or those qualified to do so.

Anyone interested in attending can contact Matt Dykes at mdykes@tuc.org.uk