Barack Obama has waded into the row over the lack of diversity among the Oscars nominees, asking "Are we making sure that everybody is getting a fair shot?"

It comes after the awards organisers were accused of overseeing discrimination when no black or minority actors were nominated for the main categories for a second year running.

Asked about his opinions, Mr Obama said the row reflected wider concerns over whether everyone was getting equal opportunities.

The film industry should do what others practiced - "look for talent and provide opportunity to everybody," he told ABC7 news outlet.

The Academy Awards have pledged to change their membership rules in a bid to increase diversity as a result of the media storm which saw #OscarsSoWhite trend on Twitter.

It has also set a goal to double minority and women members by 2020.

Some high-profile figures have joined calls for a boycott of this year's Oscars on February 28. while academy members have hit back over what they say is scapegoating.

Studies have shown that minorities remain under-represented in all levels of the movie business, from protagonists on screen to executives who can give a film the go-ahead.

But the last two years are unusual in recent Oscar history. In the last 10 years 24 of the 200 acting nominees were black - though Hispanic or Asian-American actors are tipped for awards far less often.