During the Black Lives Matter protests, some of the most prominent newsrooms in the States faced criticism over workforce inequalities, highlighting the urgent need for diverse and inclusive media organisations. Added to that, studies found that diverse and inclusive organisations are not only better positioned to fulfil their social missions but also stand to gain commercially.

So how are Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) evolving within media companies? What impact do they have on empowerment, accountability, and career progression among employees?

These are the questions FT Strategies set to answer in a survey to our client base. We surveyed over 450 employees from news and media organisations and asked them a series of questions covering:

 

  • Organisational goals or ambitions to improve workforce diversity.
  • Prioritisation of diversity in practice compared to other commercial priorities.
  • Employees' motivation to improve diversity within their organisations.
  • The perception of diversity prioritisation between senior and junior staff.
  • The use of technology and AI to improve diversity efforts.

This study is focused on gender and ethnicity as a starting point. We are seeking to enrich this view with other diverse experiences, in order to comprehensively conclude what it takes to create a media workforce that is representative of the societies we live in.

We hope the below report inspires you to:

 

  1. Set clear, measurable, and inspiring diversity goals that resonate across your organisation.
  2. Embed a diversity lens in your day-to-day activities, ensuring DEI is not just a standalone function but an integral part of all organisational priorities.
  3. Utilise advanced technologies and innovative approaches to accelerate the elimination of biases and foster a more inclusive workplace.
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