Diverse and inclusive work environment
The power of diversity does not come naturally. It requires a safe working environment where everyone has space to contribute their unique talents, take the lead and make a difference. We also feel the freedom and safety to disagree, sometimes clash on content, to ultimately arrive at the best possible result for consumers and society.
Initiatives
Talent Community
To develop future inclusive leadership, an intensive one-and-ahalf-year training programme for talent started in 2023. The group consisted of 32 women and 25 men with high growth potential, from Belgium and the Netherlands. Working in such a diverse group allowed participants to experience the benefits of inclusion firsthand.
With nearly 2,000 journalists on board, DPG Media breathes journalism, and our newsrooms are eager to attract the best media professionals. However, our editorial teams should better reflect the diversity of the world around us, with employees spanning different age groups, people of various ethnic backgrounds, with and without disabilities. Embracing diverse perspectives allows for even more nuanced angles in news reporting.
Through this traineeship, DPG Media aims to ensure that reliable news is produced with a more diverse lens. We offer aspiring journalists the opportunity to undergo five months of training to become media professionals, contributing to a more inclusive and representative news landscape.
Iftar
Connection arises when we truly put ourselves in the shoes of others for a moment. This makes contact much easier, and with it, collaboration.
A day of fasting, followed by enjoying an iftar at the office? Over 200 DPG Media colleagues seized the chance to experience it and immerse themselves in each other's worlds. During a communal meal, colleagues got to know each other better and shared valuable experiences. A beautiful moment of connection.
The 'Diversity and Inclusion Network' at DPG Media plays a crucial role in promoting diversity and inclusion within the organization. Chairperson Sharita Boon and her team focus on various pillars, including inclusive leadership, an inclusive organization, and inclusive representation.
The network develops initiatives such as leadership programs, training on inclusive communication and recruitment, and attracting journalism talent with diverse backgrounds. DPG Media is committed to creating an inclusive environment and making external commitments to diversity.
We put our signature here
In both the Netherlands and Belgium, signatures were added to an Inclusivity Charter. With these signatures, we show that our work on this is 'here to stay'.In Belgium: Inclusivity Charter and sector charter against transgressive behaviour
DPG Media has also signed an Inclusivity Charter in Belgium. In this way, we commit ourselves to working even more on inclusiveness and diversity in the workplace and in our media products. For this purpose, we are rolling out a co-created action plan with four working groups that will get to work in a concrete way. The Inclusivity Charter focuses on multiple dimensions of diversity: diversity of thought, action, cultural background, gender, sexual orientation, etc. In addition, DPG Media is committed to a safe working environment and awareness of the power of diversity. By building this diverse and inclusive organisation, DPG Media wants, according to the charter, 'to represent all Belgians and bring the different points of view and perspectives in word and image'.
DPG Media also committed to the sector charter on transgressive behaviour with an action plan to tackle this problem better and faster in the media sector. The plan came about with the media players and the Flemish Minister of Media, Benjamin Dalle. The emphasis is on prevention, which is why there is a strong commitment to training both confidential advisers and bystanders.
In the Netherlands: Charter Inclusivity signed
The Diversity Charter in the Netherlands is an initiative of Diversity in Business (part of the SER). With the signing and the accompanying plan of action, we make concrete agreements about what we want to achieve and when.
Sharita Boon, chairperson of the Network for Diversity and Inclusion: "By signing the charter, DPG Media says as an employer: we are committed to becoming a more diverse and inclusive organisation. If we, as a media company, want to appeal to the whole of the Netherlands, then we should also represent the whole of the Netherlands. Not only that, an inclusive organisation gives more room for different perspectives and talents, which leads to more creativity and innovation. Everyone can feel welcome and safe at DPG Media. That is what makes this signing so important: we are ready for the next step, in which we not only express our commitment internally, but also stand up in support of this important issue to the outside world."
