Industry professionals to come together to examine diversity in journalism and drive for change

Industry professionals discussing the findings of the Diversity in Journalism report at last year’s launch event

Editors, trainers and industry professionals will come together to scrutinise a new report examining diversity in journalism.

The annual report, published by the NCTJ and authored by research consultant Mark Spilsbury, explores the characteristics of UK journalists, including gender balance, disabilities, ethnicity, social class and sexual orientation.

The findings will be revealed at an industry event on Thursday, 25 May at Google UK’s offices in Central Saint Giles, London.

A panel of experts will discuss the key findings of the report and what action should be taken. Employers are also invited to join an industry forum in the afternoon to share practice and new ideas for change.

The report, which is based on 2022 Labour Force Survey (LFS) data, is updated annually to monitor progress.

The 2021 report found there were ongoing issues with social class, which was said needed to be addressed as a priority, and that journalists were highly qualified. It found that 89 per cent have a degree-level or higher-level qualification, which is not reflected of the UK population as a whole.

The findings influence the NCTJ’s equality, diversity and inclusion action plan, which includes working with universities and colleges to increase the proportion of their students from outside the higher social class backgrounds and to increase the number and scope of our successful projects and partnerships, notably the Journalism Diversity Fund, the Community News Project and the Journalism Skills Academy.

Joanne Butcher, chief executive of the NCTJ, said: “We’re really looking forward to getting together with all those who share our determination to make the media equal, diverse and inclusive.

“We’re so pleased Google continues to support the Journalism Diversity Fund with annual donations and are therefore perfect hosts for this year’s event to mark the publication of the new Diversity in Journalism report.

“It will be interesting to discuss what progress has been made, new projects and partnerships, and what more needs to be done.”

Attendees to the event are by invitation only, though you can email info@nctj.com if you would like to attend.