The BBC has failed to connect with white working class audiences and needs to do more to make them feel represented, says June Sarpong, director of diversity
- June Sarpong said her work to reach all groups would include the working class
- The BBC had "serious problems" reaching out to the communities in which it grew up
- Also, Ofcom told Summit that she was only a black person at board meetings
June Sarpong (pictured at London's Southbank Center in March) said her work of reaching out to underrepresented groups would go beyond black and Asian people to include people of all races who are economically disadvantaged
The BBC has failed to connect with white working class audiences and needs to do more to make them feel represented, according to its Diversity Director.
June Sarpong said her work of reaching out to underrepresented groups would go beyond black and Asian people and involve working class communities and their concerns, including immigration.
The host made the remarks at an Ofcom virtual summit, where she also talked about being the only black person in the room at BBC conference sessions.
She said, “Often times the BAME audience becomes very focused because the BBC does not represent the BAME audience adequately and we are talking about young people.
“But we know we have had serious problems connecting with the C2DE (working class) audience, and I think it's about finding the balance.
“As someone who advocates for diversity, I always make sure to pop the drum for the working class audience because I come from the working class, my parents were immigrants, and we grew up in a white working class community.
"And I completely understand, when it comes to immigration, this is the community that actually lived it, and often we don't have the nuanced debate about this stuff that we need."
Sarpong praised the new CEO, Tim Davie, who said, "makes sure we don't ignore any part of our audience," said Sarpong.
Speaking to Ofcom's virtual conference Small Screen: Big Debate, she said the broadcaster's survival depends on doing more.
"Now the audience is very vocal themselves, and not just the BBC or the broadcasters, but every institution and company in general," she said.
“We understand that this is vital to our success and survival. It is no longer nice to have, it is a must. & # 39;
Sarpong continued, "In a way, our survival is also in balance, and that is an essential part of keeping us here 100 years."

The host made the remarks at an Ofcom virtual summit, where she also talked about being the only black person in the room at BBC conference sessions. In the picture: Broadcasting House
The diversity tsarina also told the conference that she is the only black person in the room at corporate meetings.
The BBC executive, who receives £ 75,000 a year for her three-day role a week, is the only black person on an executive committee of 11.
When asked what she saw in her role at the table, she said, “I see what the story of my life was in relation to my career … I'm the only one in the room. Nothing new there.
"But the difference was that we weren't even in the room before, so at least someone is in the room."
She pointed out that under the new BBC rules, each decision-making body has at least two people from different backgrounds.
While Miss Sarpong is the only black executive on the Executive Committee, another of its members, Gautam Rangarajan, is also believed to be of ethnically diverse background.
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