Training

Abstract

This report presents findings and key recommendations in respect of current diversity training practices (or lack thereof) in newsmaking organisations in the following European Member States: Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, the UK. In general, and allowing for notable exceptions (e.g. The Netherlands), this report finds minimal evidence of diversity training across the abovementioned Member States. Attitudes towards diversity training vary considerably. While on one hand journalists are broadly in favour of ongoing professional "education" in a variety of forms, many are hostile to the very notion of training, regarding it as an unnecessary intrusion on their own professional "know how", garnered through lengthy experience "on-the-job". Those in favour of diversity training remain cautious about its potential impact, with some suggesting that such initiatives are unlikely to succeed without increased diversification of the media workforce (though most are also critical of employment quotas).