WGAW Statement on Diversity in the Entertainment Industry

LOS ANGELES -- Writers Guild of America West President Howard A. Rodman released the following statement today on the issue of diversity in the entertainment industry:

“Late last year, Canada's newly elected Prime Minister Justin Trudeau unveiled his cabinet: 15 men, 15 women. When asked why, his response was brief: ‘Because it's 2015.’

But in our industry it’s not even 2015 yet. In terms of gender the world is everywhere 50/50 male/female, but you wouldn't know that by looking at the writing credits on films or television. America is 36% minority, but the pool of people of color employed as writers is a small fraction of that.

The WGAW understands that we need to change a broken industry, not simply mirror it. Shonda Rhimes, speaking last weekend, defined the task simply and beautifully: ‘to write the world as it actually is.’

Because it’s 2016.”

The Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) is a labor union representing writers of motion pictures, television, radio, and Internet programming, including news and documentaries. Founded in 1933, the Guild negotiates and administers contracts that protect the creative and economic rights of its members. It is involved in a wide range of programs that advance the interests of writers, and is active in public policy and legislative matters on the local, national, and international levels. For more information on the WGAW, please visit: www.wga.org.