Oscars diversity debate: Academy appoints 'diverse voices'

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences,
which awards the Oscars, has added "diverse voices"
to its board after a row about ethnic diversity.
Three new governors have been appointed, including
African-American producer Reginald Hudlin and
Korean-born director Jennifer Yuh Nelson.
The move comes after several Hollywood figures
boycotted this year's Oscars.
Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs said the
board now had "much more of a diversity to it".
Spike Lee and Jada Pinkett-Smith were among those
who objected to there being no non-white nominees
in the acting categories and the row saw the
hashtag #OscarsSoWhite trending for several days
after the nominations were announced.
The Academy has also appointed six new committee
members, which include Mexican actor Gael Garcia
Bernal and African-American producers Effie Brown
and Stephanie Allain.
'Very sorry'
Boone Isaacs said: "We set out, even a few years
ago, to have more inclusion and certainly have
stepped it up.
"We just want to keep this process going, and so
were really happy that were able to announce these
additions."
Other changes announced include limiting Oscar
voting rights to those active in the movie business.
The Academy also apologised after criticism from
some Asian academy members who were offended by
a skit during the Oscars show in February.
Activists accused host Chris Rock of perpetuating
racial stereotypes when he introduced a group of
accountants, who turned out to be three Asian
children in suits. One of the children was also given
a Jewish surname.
Rock then said: "If anybody is upset about that
joke, just tweet about it on your phone, which was
also made by these kids."
Boone Isaacs said she was "very sorry" people had
been offended, adding: "I can understand the
feelings and we are setting up a meeting to discuss,
because as you well know, no one sets out to be
offensive.
"I think so much is achieved with dialogue, so much
is achieved. And that is what we'll continue to do:
have dialogue, listen and just keep fixing.''