It’s incumbent on the media industry to inspire the younger generation to make a real change and ensure a more diverse future, writes trade marketing and PR director Liz Jaques in The Media Leader
Questioning whether the industry is putting enough of its money where its mouth is, Jaques worries the positive discussion media companies generate around diversity is getting in the way of actual positive change.
She explains: “Appointing a D&I officer doesn’t quite cut it if they’re just a tick box exercise and not empowered to make real change.”
Jaques points to this year’s All In Census conducted by the Advertising Association, showing that the advertising industry shows lower than average representation across race, class and disability.
While the hope is that this will change in the industry’s future generations, Jaques emphasises the need for a “bigger focus and drive on recruitment”.
She writes: “We’re in the business of people, after all, and spend our time trying to reach them, engage, influence, get them to read, watch and buy. If we’re not a representative industry, how are we best able to do that?”
As an example of positive action, Jaques highlights the work of institutions such as Brixton Finishing School that make careers in industries such as the media much more achievable among parts of society with the least access to them.
In addition, Jaques writes about Newsworks’ ‘Future of News’ video interviews, with the highlights video of our second series now live on our hub. She also previews some of our upcoming work in the industry, teaming up with partners such as Brixton Finishing School, Adwanted’s Future 100 Club, the Student Publication Association and more.
She adds: “[These] things…will hopefully make a difference and will educate and inspire more young people into journalism and media, to ensure a better and more diverse future. It’s not enough, but it’s a start.”
Read the full story on The Media Leader.
