Mediahuis — jaarverslag — 2022 > IMPACT: RUIMTE VOOR TALENT

More diverse and inclusive in what we do

As a media company, we are at the heart of society. Our mission is to inform readers accurately and reliably, interpret the news and connect people. Because our media brands want to target everyone within our local community, we need a strong understanding of people and their expectations. So, in the content we publish and in the way we do it, we need to put more focus on reaching young people and readers from migrant backgrounds.

More diverse and inclusive in who we are

To be more in touch with the various groups within society, and to effectively mirror our environment, we also need to be more diverse and inclusive as an organisation. We’re already taking several initiatives in this area. But we can and must do much better. That’s why we set up the All-in Mediahuis project. With all our employees, we need to look at how diverse and inclusive Mediahuis really is: where we’re doing well, what we’re overlooking and where we can still make progress. We undertake initiatives and communicate about them, but above all we want to raise awareness and involve everyone. Anyone who has ideas about diversity and inclusion, or wants to discuss situations that we as a company could approach differently and/or better, is invited to talk to us. Then we can work together for more diversity and inclusion.

Mediahuis Youth Lab

Mediahuis Youth Lab was created in Belgium, with 12 young people being invited into the newsrooms of De Standaard, Gazet van Antwerpen and Het Belang van Limburg. The newcomers are coached by experienced reporters and have an important task themselves: to hold a mirror up to journalists and demonstrate how young people today consume news and what stories interest them. With Youth Lab, Mediahuis wants to get more in touch with young audiences and readers with a migration background.

Mediahuis Emerging Talent

In 2022, Mediahuis Ireland began Mediahuis Emerging Talent, a prog-ramme for better identifying young talent with a passion for journalism. It aims to increase diversity in newsrooms. Candidates were asked to submit a short video outlining their passion for journalism. From hundreds of submissions and after an intensive selection process, six candidates were chosen. They were awarded a two-year contract and now work for online and print titles in Dublin and Belfast.

National Vitality Week

From 19 to 25 September 2022 the annual National Vitality Week took place in the Netherlands. This initiative aims to raise awareness among working people about the importance of their own vitality. During the week, several activities were organised aimed at strengthening vitality and creating more connection in the Dutch business community.

Mediahuis Nederland took part in the Vitality Week for the first time last year, and offered a varied programme of activities and interactive workshops. There was something for everyone, from a shared lunch walk to a power hour of circuit training. Numerous inspiring sessions were also organised around mental vitality, which could be followed online or in person. Employees were enthusiastic about the programme.

By participating in National Vitality Week, Mediahuis Nederland aims to help its employees feel more vital and achieve a work/life balance. We do this through various forms of leave, but also by offering coaching or sports programmes such as the Fitcoins app, where walking and moving is rewarded, or the Mental Check Up, a conversation about mental fitness.