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The UK government could make participation in the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA) mandatory for entertainment sector organisations, in the wake of the publication of allegations of sexual misconduct against David Walliams and the sentencing of Russell Brand for rape and sexual assault.
Culture secretary Lisa Nandy said in parliament this morning, “Next week I’ll be meeting representatives from across media, entertainment and sport to discuss the action we need to be take.
“I want to be clear with this house, if those protections are not sufficient, the government will not hesitate to take further action. For too long, too many people have had to choose between their career and their safety. People must be safe in their jobs. Whistleblowers must be protected. Those who abuse their position must no longer be able to hide.”
According to the BBC, in the roundtable meeting Nandy will call out industry leaders to first take responsibility and tackle issues of safeguarding on their own, but if their response is not good enough, the government could intervene, with forced participation in CIISA an option.
CIISA will also attend this meeting. The use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) being used to protect high-profile figures will also be part of the discussion.
Serious allegations against UK actor and writer David Walliams of sexual misconduct and abusing his position were published by The Guardian and ITV News earlier this week. Walliams denies the claims against him.
Comedian and actor Russell Brand was last week sentenced on charges of rape and sexual assault.
Nandy told parliament, “They are the latest in a long line of reported abuses of power in an industry where we have known for so long that power imbalances are huge and that reputation and contacts are the foundations on which careers are built.”
CIISA has been in the works since 2021 as a way to protect workers in the creative industries. It launched its independent online reporting service in October and is an officially designated whistleblowing body by the government.
Last year, CIISA launched its framework of standards. CIISA is funded by industry registrations and currently does not have a stable long-term funding model. It is not mandatory for creative sector organisations to sign up. Those that register with the body will receive a ‘CIISA Registered’ mark to display, as well as materials and re
BBC, Sky Studios, MultiStory Media (part of ITV Studios) and Two Cities Television were among the first organisations to sign up as CIISA ’trailblazers’ to put the standards to the test.
An online directory of which organisations have signed up to CIISA will be made available on November 25.
Nandy said in parliament last year that she will not rule out government intervention if the industry does not financially contribute to CIISA.
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