TORONTO – Multi-faith, multicultural, specialty service VisionTV has introduced a new web site to highlight its array of diversity initiatives.
This week’s launch of the site (www.visiontv.ca/Diversity/index.htm) coincides with the opening of the Innoversity Creative Summit 2005, a two-day event in Toronto that explores issues related to diversity in the media industry. VisionTV is a silver sponsor and participates actively in this annual gathering.
"Our mission as a broadcaster is to promote understanding among Canadians of different beliefs and backgrounds. We hope this site will become a valuable resource for people seeking inspiration and ideas for promoting diversity in broadcast and other media,” said Bill Roberts, president and CEO of VisionTV, in a release.
The web site content showcases VisionTV’s efforts to reflect the multicultural reality of the Canadian population in everything it does, from programming to hiring practices:
* A section on programming details series and specials that exemplify the network’s commitment to diversity, from the broadcast of Residential Schools: Moving Beyond Survival in 2001 to the current affairs series 360 Vision.
* A human resources section outlines the network’s diversity policies and practices, and highlights professional development initiatives such as the VisionTV Diversity in Broadcasting Internship created in partnership with Women in Film and Television – Toronto in 2004.
* A case studies section focuses on VisionTV’s efforts to foster development of original drama programs by visible minority filmmakers, such as its Cultural Diversity Drama Competition, launched in 2003, and the newly created DiverseTV project established in partnership with the National Screen Institute – Canada. (For more information on DiverseTV, visit www.nsi-canada.ca.)
"This is just the beginning. We anticipate that the web site will grow and evolve over time, encompassing an ever richer variety of information and resources relevant to diversity in media,” added Roberts.
