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BBC hits back at the Sun's 'utterly ridiculous' 'Auntie is anti-white' claims

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By Gillian West | Social media manager

June 4, 2016 | 2 min read

The BBC has responded to the Sun's claims 'Auntie is anti-white' deeming the story "utterly ridiculous and irresponsible".

The Sun

The front-page piece suggested the BBC was "racist" as two junior scriptwriting posts at BBC1's Holby City were only open to people from "ethnic minority backgrounds".

The BBC responded claiming the roles were not jobs but "training and development opportunities" and given the lack of diversity in the TV industry it was the "right thing to do".

The Sun article added that the BBC currently had four recruitment schemes only open to black, Asian or ethnic minority applicants.

A statement made in response by the BBC said the Sun had known and ignored the fact that these "training and development opportunities" were permitted under the Equality Act adding "to describe this as anti-white is utterly ridiculous and irresponsible.

"As we have under-representation of people from ethnic minority backgrounds in script editing roles at the BBC it's the right thing to do."

The BBC has received criticism for its lack of diversity both on and off screen over the years with recent figures showing the broadcaster was struggling to meet targets.

In April it outlined a new initiative aiming for 15 per cent of its staff and leadership to come from BAME backgrounds by 2020.

BBC The Sun Media

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