The UK music industry is about to change.
According to The Guardian, a code aimed at shaping anti-racist behavior will be adopted in 2023.
The initiator of the reforms and the development of the document was the organization Black Lives in Music (BLIM).
The provisions of the code speak of the need to create conditions for the integration, professional growth and promotion of professionals of all races, as well as providing them with equal opportunities in training, contracting, adequate funding and pay.
The code was inspired by a 2021 BLIM report that states that 63% of black producers and 73% of performers in the music industry have experienced bullying.
In addition, more than 1,500 representatives of creative companies and employees were allegedly subjected to harassment, bullying and other types of intolerant attitude, expressed in racist statements.
At the same time, sometimes they prefer not to make such cases public for fear of being fired.
BLIM CEO Cherisse Beaumont said that music labels and organizations have a responsibility to create a safe work environment for everyone from freelance techies to established artists, and to strive for inclusion and not focus on differences.
She also stressed that there is a need for mandatory training, data collection and reporting process on a regular basis, because, unlike in other industries, corporate standards in the music industry are not yet fully regulated.
“Now the situation is reminiscent of the Wild West.
Unlike the financial and food sectors, as well as the education sector, there is no accountability and no system of regulation of authority in the creative industry, ”says Beaumont.
She also mentioned that musicians representing different ethnic minorities work in different directions, but, for some reason, they do not invest in them.
Perhaps because of the stereotype in society that black musicians release only R&B and hip-hop.
Beaumont believes it's people in leadership positions who don't want to see things differently.
Earlier, the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the new ethics and regulatory standards regarding diversity in show business.
In 2020, the leadership of the academy announced the gradual introduction of new standards of "representation and inclusiveness".
The rules for films nominated for the Oscar in the Best Picture category were published on the organization's website.
Innovations will affect everything: the general theme, plots, the composition of the film crew, actors and all technical staff.
They will be finalized in 2024.
The established norms are aimed at ensuring equal opportunities for women, representatives of sexual minorities, people of different national and ethnic backgrounds, as well as people with disabilities.
And in order for a film to be accepted as an Oscar nominee, at least two standards must be met.
One of them says that already at the planning stage, the main or one of the central roles in the paintings must be assigned to a representative of an ethnic minority.
If this norm cannot be met, 30% of the supporting roles must be played by people from two “underrepresented groups”.
According to another standard, women, members of sexual minorities, persons with disabilities or people from different ethnic groups should occupy leadership positions (at least two) in the film team.
The third standard requires the involvement of at least 30% of the staff by film studios and distribution companies of representatives of national, ethnic and gender minorities.
Under the fourth, film companies are committed to providing paid internships or internships to minorities in various areas of production at all stages of film production - from development and post-production to marketing communication.
And in the advertising, public relations, and content distribution departments, several management positions should be assigned to underrepresented groups.
Later, the British Film Academy BAFTA published a set of measures aimed at "tackling the problem of a serious lack of opportunities and a lack of equality."
Innovations include the composition of the film academy, the selection process for BAFTA nominees and winners, and the involvement of filmmakers from underrepresented groups.
In total, the academy presented 120 norms.
In addition, in August 2020, changes were made to the regulations of the Berlin Film Festival, according to which awards for film actors are no longer divided by gender.
"Silver Bears" will now be awarded for the main and secondary roles.