Research by UK media regulator Ofcom has shown that the number of ethnic minorities working in the broadcasting field is growing, The Stage reported Thursday. The study also showed that fewer women are getting hired for TV and radio.

Ethnic minorities in the sector amounted to 9 percent in 2006 and 8.8 percent in 2005. Last year, however, the figure surged to 9.3 percent of all employees in TV and radio. According to theStage.co.uk, at the senior level they accounted for 6.6 percent of all staff, with 9.5 percent in high positions in radio and 6.8 percent in TV.

Meanwhile, Ofcom findings showed that the number of women employed in broadcasting made up 45.2 per cent in 2006, and 44.9 percent last year, according to theStage.co.uk. At the senior level, the figure declined from 32.2 per cent in 2006 to 31.8 percent in 2007. In the production sector, women made up 40.7 percent in television in 2007 and 34.4 percent in radio.

Furthermore, the study revealed that the number of disabled employees grew from 1.7 per cent three years ago to 2 percent in 2007, the European Journalism Centre reported Thursday.