The BBC and Channel 4 could be forced to use more female and ethnic characters and presenters in TV shows under controversial reforms of equality laws.The change could hit programmes such as Top Gear, which has an all-male presenting team, and EastEnders, which has screened episodes featuring all-black, all-Asian and all-female casts.
State-funded organisations are being ordered to boost the proportion of female, black and gay staff to reflect the make-up of the UK population under plans unveiled by Labour's deputy leader Harriet Harman.
But there are fears that the decision not to exempt broadcasters from the proposals in the Government's Equality Bill will compromise their editorial independence.
Critics fear programmes will be forced to hire actors, presenters and producers on grounds of gender, ethnic background or sexuality, rather than suitability for the show.
Now Tory culture spokesman Jeremy Hunt has written to Miss Harman and Culture Secretary Andy Burnham highlighting the 'very serious implications' of the shake-up.
Mr Hunt said: 'Allowing broadcasters creative and intellectual freedom over the content of their programmes is vital in a free society.
'Both the BBC and Channel 4 have an important role in focusing attention on important social issues, but editorial independence must be sacrosanct.
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He added: 'In terms of their public functions, such as their employment and procurement practices, they should act as any other public authority. However, for the sake of editorial independence their content is another matter.
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The Equality Bill, which was unveiled on Monday, encourages employers to take 'positive action' to widen diversity in the public-sector workforce.
Earlier this month a leading academic said the BBC should employ more women to help make shows such as Top Gear 'female-friendly'.
Dr Louise Livesey, tutor in sociology and women's studies at Ruskin College, Oxford, accused the BBC2 motoring programme of 'entrenched, institutional sexism'.
As well as being hosted by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, the Sunday night show has a 'boys' club' production team and fewer female than male guests.
But executive producer Andy Wilman claimed it was 'utter drivel' to suggest that Top Gear excluded women, saying: 'If the show is allegedly female-unfriendly, why is almost half the audience female?
'Secondly, if we are to have a female presenter just to represent the sexes, then by that logic Loose Women needs a bloke in the line-up pretty sharpish.
'I actually believe these sorts of mandates are patronising to women viewers, because they assume that women can't enjoy a show's presenters on merit, but can only appreciate a programme if spoken to by one of their own sex.'
During the Government's consultation on the 'gender and class' Bill in July last year, the BBC 'made clear' that new laws should not 'compromise their journalistic, programme and broadcasting activities'.
A BBC Trust spokesman said: 'We agree it would be helpful to have clarification of the Government's intentions and we are discussing that with them.'
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