Power imbalances and precarious employment for production staff mean whistleblowing remains a rarity
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upport lines. Slogans. Culture reviews. Even a new standards body. The pipeline of toxic behaviour haunting Britain’s television industry in recent years has led to numerous attempts to end the grim assumption among its workers that little can be done to challenge the inappropriate actions of powerful figures.
Recent initiatives have shown signs of reducing bad behaviour. However, in an industry that still talks about “above the line” talent – referring to the leading creative figures and cast in a show – many working in the production world fear it still suffers from a power imbalance that fosters unacceptable treatment and deters whistleblowing.
“We’re an industry that’s supposed to be progressive and groundbreaking, but has embedded itself in some of the worst habits of Hollywood,” said one experienced, female executive producer. “For the amount of money and profile it generates for the country, it is a very badly safeguarded industry.”
