Diversity management as innovation in journalism

Description

The aim of this project is to understand what diversity as innovation in journalism is or is not going to be. This is critical for ensuring journalism remains a cornerstone of healthy democracies and open societies. Project explores the social activity of journalism, as it is managed and practiced in the era of digital and networked journalism, with the objective of increasing newsrooms'' diversity, across national and regional, print and broadcast legacy newsrooms in Sweden, the UK and Poland. While many differences (and some similarities) can be noted about these countries'' models of media and politics, they represent very different cases when it comes to the tradition of diversity management. On the one hand, the UK, due to its colonial legacy, is considered a heterogeneous society, and has a long diversity management tradition. Sweden is in transition, due to immigration and intake of refugees, from homogeneous to a more heterogeneous society, and while it has relatively little experience with diversity management it still represents, at large, an open and liberal society. On the other hand, Poland is largely a homogeneous society, making international headlines in recent years for refusing to respect the EU refugee quotas, sending thousands of women to the streets in defense of their reproductive rights and, recently, for declaring an "LGBT-free zone" in one-third of the country’s municipalities. Practical knowledge on the implementation of diversity management as innovation in journalism, its pitfalls, emerging risks as well as opportunities for new interventions and learning will be shared with relevant industry research partners. Project output will also contribute to journalism studies, and media and communication scholarship, bringing in empirical substance to the current debates at the nexus of changing newsrooms cultures, journalism, innovation and digital media, but also to questions of safety of journalists and freedom of expression.

Summary of project results

The project “Diversity Management as Innovation in Journalism”, led by Dr. Greta Gober (PI) and Dr. hab. Anna Jupowicz-Ginalska (Co-Investigator), addressed one of the most pressing challenges in today’s media landscape: how to effectively manage diversity in newsrooms to improve journalism and rebuild public trust. Reports from the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism have highlighted diversity as a top challenge for the industry since 2019. Media leaders across Europe recognize that increasing diversity among journalists and management is essential for producing high-quality journalism and supporting democratic societies. Despite growing interest and investment in diversity initiatives, past efforts have often fallen short. While diversity and inclusion (D&I) programs have been implemented in the media for over two decades, research shows that simply hiring more diverse staff does not automatically lead to the expected benefits. In fact, poorly managed diversity initiatives can sometimes worsen the marginalization of minority groups. This project sought to innovate diversity management by examining how it is defined, organized, and implemented in newsrooms across Sweden, the UK, and Poland, and by assessing how these practices are experienced by journalists, particularly those from minority backgrounds. Exploring diversity management practices in these diverse national contexts revealed how cultural, political, and economic factors shape them. The UK, with its history of immigration and multiculturalism, has a relatively advanced approach but still faces challenges in senior-level diversity. Sweden, transitioning from a homogeneous to a more diverse society, struggles to balance its egalitarian values with addressing systemic inequalities. In Poland, a largely homogeneous society, socio-political resistance makes implementing DM particularly challenging. By examining these varied contexts, the project has provided valuable insights into improving diversity management in media, offering new strategies to make journalism more inclusive and reflective of the diverse societies it serves.

The “Diversity Management as Innovation in Journalism” project explored how diversity is defined, implemented and managed in newsrooms across Poland, Sweden, and the UK, focusing on both journalists’ and management’s perspectives. This research was conducted during a significant geopolitical event, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, providing a unique context for gathering valuable empirical data.

The project developed a new theoretical framework called “managing diversity as epistemology.” This framework revises the previous “managing diversity as polyphony” theory by incorporating concepts of epistemic injustice. This new approach resolves the media diversity & inclusion paradox and advances understanding of how diversity can contribute to better journalism.

Key activities included:

• Conducting 57 in-depth interviews and extensive secondary research.
• Presenting findings at 15 academic conferences and seminars and sharing insights with industry professionals at 7 public and industry events. Notable public presentations include the 2023 Women in Film and Television (WIFTI) Summit in Helsinki and a keynote at Poland’s Science Festival.

Major project outputs:

• Formation of an International Advisory Board and kick-off workshop.
• Establishment of a Network of Partners, including collaborations with the European Centre for Journalists and Women in Film and Television International (WiFTI).
• Development of the project website, methodology, and completion of fieldwork in 15 newsrooms.
• Dissemination of findings at numerous academic, industry, and public events.
• Publication of three scientific articles, with two more in progress.
• Upcoming industry reports titled “Mission Impossible? On Imperatives, Pitfalls, and Innovations in Managing Newsroom Diversity,” to be launched in Sweden and Poland by the end of 2024.

The project “Diversity Management as Innovation in Journalism” achieved significant outcomes, impacting both academic and industry audiences. The primary beneficiaries of this research are media professionals, journalists, media managers, and scholars interested in diversity management, journalism innovation, and media studies.

Key outcomes:

Scholarly contributions: The project developed the “managing diversity as epistemology” theory, offering a novel approach to managing diversity in newsrooms to enhance journalism quality and address the media diversity and inclusion paradox. It resulted in three published scientific articles and two more in progress, which provide new insights into diversity management practices and have been presented at various academic conferences.

Industry impact: The project engaged with media organizations through various collaborations and shared its findings at industry events. Notable activities include a workshop for Swedish journalists and presentations at the Women in Film and Television (WIFTI) Summit in Helsinki. Additionally, the project produced industry reports (in English and Polish) with practical recommendations for managing diversity in newsrooms. These reports are set to be launched in Sweden and Poland in 2024, offering media organizations actionable insights to improve their diversity practices.

Public awareness: Public engagement activities, such as a keynote at Poland’s Science Festival and participation in a podcast hosted by ECREA, have raised awareness about the importance of effective diversity management in journalism.

Overall, the project successfully met its objectives, advancing both theoretical understanding and practical approaches to diversity management in journalism across different national contexts. This research contributes to ongoing discussions about the role of diversity in fostering trust and innovation in the media industry.