BBC called to be 'more creative and bolder' in featuring LGB people
London, Dec. 14 (ANI)
The BBC should feature more lesbian, gay and bisexual people in children's television, a report has found.
The report found that just over half of the British population is comfortable with the portrayal of homosexual men and lesbians on television.
Approximately 15 percent said they were not comfortable and the rest had no strong views.
It should be 'more creative and bolder' in how it depicts lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people across all platforms, taking care to avoid stereotypes, the review said.
The study, commissioned by the BBC, found that although there has been a gradual improvement in the level of representation of LBG people, they were 'still relatively invisible' in the media.
According to the Telegraph, an expert panel said the corporation should use children's programming to help 'familiarize audiences through incidental portrayal from an early age' as well as validating older children who may be LGB.
It also said that there were missed opportunities in sport, particularly given the availability of talent.
The panel said that as a public service broadcaster and standard bearer on moral issues, the BBC should reconsider the way it sets up news debates and avoid using "two extreme perspectives", the report said.
According to the report, part of the study was based on interviews with LGB organisations and representatives, who said the media played a critical role in educating wider society as well as reassuring younger gay viewers by using positive role models.
They said that although there had been a gradual degree of improvement across all media in the last 10 years, representation of gay people is still so unusual that it "stands out" when included, the report added.