UK Government May Force Broadcasters To Regularly Fund New Anti-Bullying Reporting Body

EXCLUSIVE: The UK government is considering enshrining into law a requirement for UK broadcasters to regularly fund anti-bullying reporting body CIISA, which is yet to launch properly several years after it was first floated.

UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy is understood to view CIISA, which stands for the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority, as crucial to helping rid the TV and film industries of the bullying and harassment issues that have plagued the sector for decades. The concept of an anonymous whistleblowing service that freelancers could go to without fear of repercussion has been hailed by all and sundry but securing long-term funding commitments in the millions of pounds has proved a tough ask.

Nandy has spoken publicly of her desire to get CIISA up and running and said several weeks back that she takes a “dim view” of big TV industry players who are not financially backing CIISA, as she singled out MasterChef producer Banijay for criticism in the wake of the Gregg Wallace allegations. Privately, we understand that one option she has mooted is laying down a statute that would require the UK broadcasters to fund CIISA on a regular basis.

CIISA’s recent prospectus indicated that running costs would be around £1.5M ($1.9M) in its first year, rising to just more than £2M the following one to fund its small team and operations. The body has floated a funding model based on organizations paying an ongoing yearly contribution of a maximum 0.1% of their annual turnover. Speaking to a parliamentary committee last week, CIISA boss Jen Smith, who used to work for the BFI, said CIISA is “looking at a range of alternative models” and keeping all options on the table including statutory.

Sources stressed that the new Culture Sec’s idea is just one of a number being considered and is not set in stone. All broadcasters along with Sky, some big streamers and production companies have already given financial backing to CIISA but Nandy’s plan if enacted would enshrine this into law and help secure CIISA’s long-term future.

“The Culture Secretary recently met with CIISA to discuss how government and industry can work together to improve workplace standards and behaviour in the creative industries,” said a CMS spokeswoman. “CIISA has an essential role to play in the industry, which is why we are looking at a range of measures to cement their authority and ensure that they have proper buy-in and support from across the sector.”

CIISA has secured public backing from some of the UK’s biggest stars including Keira Knightley, Emerald Fennell and Gemma Chan, who were three of a number who signed an open letter last year urging more funding.

CIISA emerged off the back of the Time’s Up UK movement several years back in the wake of the allegations against Doctor Who star Noel Clarke, which he denies. Since then there have been a number of high-profile incidences of bad behavior in the industry including allegations against Huw Edwards, Russell Brand and Wallace (Brand and Wallace both deny allegations, with the former saying all relationships were consensual and the latter’s lawyers denying he engaged in behavior of a “sexually harassing nature.”).

Speaking to Deadline last year, CIISA boss Smith told us the body will act as a “circuit breaker” for bullying and harassment. “The blueprint we are building could help the creative industries internationally,” she claimed.

That blueprint could be handed quite the boon if Nandy pushes on with her plan.