RBB has taken it upon itself to incorporate more diversity into its programming. In March, the 50:50 Challenge is to be launched in this context. In the future, there will also be some changes in the area of human resources. The staff community is also to become more diverse.
The goal is now being considered more concretely on the basis of a corresponding strategy. This was drawn up by an interdisciplinary specialist group and recently presented to the RBB Broadcasting Council.
How exactly is the increase in diversity at RBB to be demonstrated?
One of the fundamental goals is to reach more diverse viewers through more diverse programming. And in order to achieve this, the RBB staff should also become morediverse. After all, it is the members of the scene who know which topics are of particular interest to queers. In this way, looking beyond the end of one's nose can once again succeed.
In order to achieve this ambitious goal, the 50:50 Challenge will focus on several details in the future. Among others, those responsible are taking their cue from the BBC, which has already discovered a similar strategy for itself.
Of course, it is particularly important for RBB in the first step to determine the current status quo and thus find out how diverse the current program already is. At the same time, the focus will be on a close look at the nature of diversity. First of all, gender diversity will be examined in more detail. Among other things, however, other areas, such as disabilities or people with a migration background, are also to be included in the objectives. So far, however, the entire project is still in a kind of trial phase. The 50:50 Challenge is set to kick off in earnest next month.
The 50:50 Challenge in detail
From now on, the focus will be on target groups that have not been addressed or have been addressed little on RBB. Among other things, this should be possible through new formats. In this way, not only the range of programming but also the diversity of perspectives is then to be expanded. In parallel, RBB is among the companies that once again want to participate in Diversity Day, which is celebrated throughout Germany.
In addition to the expanded content around diversity, the 50:50 Challenge also focuses on internal training and on increasing diversity within the workforce. To ensure that this is achieved and that existing employees are perhaps made a little more aware of this exciting topic, the Challenge will also include training sessions.
How much diversity is represented in the media?
This question cannot be answered in a standardized way - at least not yet. After all, it is difficult to compare the individual broadcasters with one another. In general, however, it can be seen time and again that both the TV and radio landscapes have changed considerably over time.
In the meantime, there are many broadcasts that either partially or even completely (see "Prince Charming") focus on queer content. In addition, there are also more and more podcasts that deal with this important topic. However, it is rare for a broadcaster to launch such a challenge, to highlight the current status quo, and to work in such a public way.
Among other things, the community should be particularly pleased that work is not only done FOR them, but also WITH them. After all, no one has such a transparent insight into the world of the scene as they do.