In recent years, the entertainment sector in the UK has faced a cascade of scandals related to bullying and sexual harassment, particularly in the television and film industries. These troubling incidents have unveiled a pressing need for effective measures to ensure safe working environments. The Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA) is stepping into this crucial role, aiming to create and uphold baseline standards of conduct for all professionals within the creative sector. This initiative emerges in response to the heightened scrutiny of workplace behaviors after high-profile allegations against notable figures such as Gregg Wallace, among others.
CIISA has initiated a comprehensive consultation process to gather insights from industry stakeholders, which is expected to inform the development of these standards. This consultation period will conclude on January 27, paving the way for the standards to be promulgated in the following month. According to CIISA, the aim is to craft guidelines that can be scaled across various productions, thus providing a cohesive framework for behavior that resonates throughout the industry. The intention is clear: to foster an environment that prioritizes respect and professionalism, reflecting a unified vision for workplace conduct.
Inclusivity and Accountability
The upcoming standards are not just about creating regulations; they represent a commitment to fostering an inclusive atmosphere where individuals can express themselves without fear of harassment or bullying. These standards will also serve as a benchmark, allowing the industry to evaluate its progress in embedding safety within its working environments. CIISA plans to generate industry-specific guidelines that will complement the minimum standards established, tailoring solutions to the diverse sectors within the creative industries, be it television, film, theater, or music.
Notably, the establishment of CIISA was backed by Time’s Up UK and has garnered support from prominent figures in the industry, including actresses Keira Knightley and Gemma Chan. Their involvement signifies a collective effort among industry professionals to demand accountability and foster transformation. Niyi Akeju, the Head of Standards Development, expressed enthusiasm, emphasizing the extensive collaboration involved in crafting these standards, indicating the body’s readiness to engage with and address the industry’s pressing issues.
Recent allegations against several high-profile individuals have underscored the necessity for CIISA’s emergence. For instance, Wallace stands accused of inappropriate comments made over a 17-year period during his tenure on air, a claim that has placed his career on hold. Moreover, other key figures, like former One Show presenter Jermaine Jenas and Strictly Come Dancing’s Graziano Di Prima, have been dismissed or reprimanded for misconduct, adding a layer of urgency to CIISA’s mission.
These developments demonstrate that entrenched issues within the workplace are far more pervasive than previously acknowledged. CIISA’s commitment to developing industry-wide standards heralds a necessary shift—one that could ultimately redefine the norms governing conduct within the UK’s creative industries.
The CIISA initiative marks an important step towards a reformed creative landscape that can effectively combat harassment and bullying. As this body works to establish clear standards and facilitate a culture of respect and responsibility, the hope is that such measures will bring lasting change, creating a more supportive environment for all professionals in the creative sector.