16 July 2025

FIPP Global Media DEI Tracker – July 2025

Tracking progress, backlash and new strategies in media inclusion.

Across global media, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is facing a pivotal moment. Once championed as both a moral and business imperative, it is now encountering growing political and social pushback, particularly in Donald Trump’s United States, where conservative forces have triggered widespread scaling back of corporate DEI initiatives. In the past year, several major media companies have scaled back public DEI commitments, including renaming diversity departments, removing DEI-related targets from executive performance metrics and reducing the collection or publication of demographic data. Many continue internal efforts but have shifted their language and visibility to avoid political or legal backlash.

Yet this does not mean DEI is disappearing. Behind closed doors, many organisations remain committed but are pursuing “stealth DEI” strategies, keeping initiatives quieter. At the same time, new technological innovations and community-led efforts are reshaping inclusion around the world. This Tracker, updated every three months, captures both the momentum and resistance shaping the future of DEI in media.

GLOBAL OVERVIEW

Rollback and stealth pivots

Growing backlash, particularly in the US, has led many media and tech firms to quietly scale back public DEI commitments. Some are rebranding DEI as “culture”, “employee engagement” or “belonging”, maintaining internal goals while keeping a lower public profile. European and Asia-Pacific branches of global firms are also treading carefully, though the shift is less pronounced than in the US.

Read more here: Harvard Business Review – How DEI can survive this era of backlash

Sustainability is increasingly linked to DEI

Sustainability and DEI are now deeply intertwined in media procurement decisions. A global standard for measuring advertising’s carbon footprint is expected in 2026, driven by the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM), Ad Net Zero and the World Federation of Advertisers (WFA). Industry discussions are exploring sustainability “badges” to help brands identify lower-carbon inventory, linking green credentials to responsible social investment. Publishers unable to credibly report sustainability metrics risk losing business.

Read more here: WFA & Ad Net Zero announce global framework to measure media’s carbon emissions

Regional drivers include:

• Europe: The EU plans to ban misleading sustainability claims (including those based on carbon offsets) by 2026. New regulations such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) will force large media companies into detailed carbon disclosures.
  
• UK: The Advertising Association’s Ad Net Zero continues to expand its influence.
  
• US: The Association of National Advertisers (ANA) is piloting frameworks inspired by GARM/Ad Net Zero collaborations.

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UNITED KINGDOM

BBC’s 50:50 Equality Project

The BBC’s 50:50 Equality Project, which began in 2016 as a simple spreadsheet to measure gender balance, has evolved into a global standard for newsroom accountability. As of 2025, the initiative has expanded well beyond gender to include new metrics on socioeconomic diversity, disability and most recently, ethnicity and race representation in contributors and on-screen experts. Over 150 organisations worldwide now participate, with many publicly reporting their progress.

Read more here: BBC 50:50 Project

Journalism Diversity Fund and NCTJ awards

The Journalism Diversity Fund, run by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ), continues to support aspiring journalists from underrepresented backgrounds by awarding bursaries for NCTJ-accredited training. As of mid-2025, the Fund has opened applications for its third round (deadline 31 July 2025), continuing its quarterly cycle of bursaries that help cover course fees and living costs. While there’s no public confirmation of record-breaking application numbers this year, the sustained demand and regular award cycles underscore ongoing interest and need among diverse candidates. The Fund remains a pathway for improving newsroom diversity, particularly during a period when broader funding for journalism education faces cuts.

At the annual NCTJ Awards for Excellence, held in April 2025, the NCTJ celebrated journalists and educators who have gone beyond advancing equality, diversity and inclusion. London-based journalist Shaheena Uddin, founder of Muslim Journalists Connect, won the individual DEI award, citing her lived experience of Islamophobia and racism as the inspiration behind her advocacy for greater representation in newsrooms. The University of Sheffield received the organisational award for its ‘Inclusive Voices project’ and a range of winners across student and trainee categories were recognised for stories reflecting diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

Read more here: Journalism Diversity Fund – National Council for the Training of Journalists

Commercial backlash hits LGBTQ+ media and DEI advertising

LGBTQ+ media is facing a stark commercial backlash as brands grow increasingly cautious about publicly aligning with diversity causes. The UK’s Gay Times has reportedly lost around 80% of its advertisers, translating to an estimated £5 million drop in revenue. CEO Tag Warner links this sharp decline to a chilling effect from anti-DEI sentiment, particularly waves of hostility emerging from the US and spilling into UK corporate strategy.

This hesitancy isn’t limited to LGBTQ+ outlets. According to the Financial Times, a widening culture war has left marketers wary of “polarising the public”, prompting them to retreat from visible support for issues such as LGBTQ+ rights, racial justice and gender equity. Instead, many brands are shifting DEI efforts inward, towards low-profile internal initiatives, while slashing budgets for campaigns once touted as proof of progressive values.

Gay Times’ losses illustrate how niche media outlets are especially vulnerable to this retreat, as they depend heavily on brand partnerships for survival. One industry executive described it as “a moment of retrenchment”, where even well-established outlets risk being collateral damage in broader political and social tensions. The consequences reach far beyond advertising budgets. The pullback threatens diverse storytelling, community visibility and the financial viability of publications created to serve marginalised audiences. As brands weigh the risks of public backlash against the promise of purpose-driven marketing, LGBTQ+ media finds itself navigating increasingly treacherous financial terrain.

Read more here: How the culture war is remaking advertising

EUROPE

Across the continent, the Media Diversity Institute’s YoCoJoin project, funded by the European Union, concluded its pilot phase in 2025. The project placed young reporters into newsrooms across seven EU countries to produce hyperlocal stories that speak to diverse youth audiences. Early data indicates that stories created by young journalists have achieved higher engagement on digital platforms than traditional local coverage. The Media Diversity Institute is now seeking partners to replicate this model in other European regions, with hope of sustaining both newsroom diversity and community trust.

Read more here: The YoCoJoin Project – Media Diversity Institute

European Broadcasting Union’s DEI Strategy, 2025

As of March 2025, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has publicly outlined its formal Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) policy, reinforcing its commitment to inclusive representation across gender, race, disability, age, LGBTQI+ and socioeconomic diversity. The policy is accompanied by a public “DEI Steering Group” and a Casebook of best-practice examples from member broadcasters, showing concrete action taken across Europe’s public service media.

Read more here: https://www.ebu.ch/about/dei-policy

Ukraine

Trauma-informed journalism and safety support in Ukraine

The Donbas Media Forum sessions in October 2024, hosted under UNESCO’s guidance, marked a significant turning point in Ukraine’s media rebuild. Journalists, editors, psychologists, and media managers participated in trauma-informed workshops designed to help them cover traumatic events with sensitivity and support each other’s mental health. UNESCO has also provided emergency safety training, personal protective equipment, and psychosocial support—reinforcing best practices in trauma-aware reporting and newsroom resilience.

Read more here: UNESCO completes mission to Ukraine to support journalists’ safety and assess needs

AMERICAS

USA

DEI retreat and quiet persistence

Large media companies have softened public DEI rhetoric amid political and legal challenges, particularly in conservative US states. While many DEI initiatives continue internally, companies are cautious about public statements to avoid lawsuits and political backlash.

Condé Nast enhances DEI with internal audits and leadership appointment

In late 2024, Condé Nast appointed Cheryl Kaba as its inaugural Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, signalling a strategic move towards structured DEI leadership. By May 2025, the company released internal data showing that 65% of its workforce are women (61% in editorial), while 31% are people of colour, 50% in editor‑in‑chief roles, though senior leadership remains 76% white. Kaba emphasised that DEI is “integral to our mission,” underlining the importance of transparency and internal accountability. The company is reportedly developing quarterly audit processes to drive further progress across hiring, promotions and pay equity.

Read more here: Condé Nast appoints Cheryl Kaba as Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer

GroupM expands Media Inclusion Initiative with 5% pledge (US)

In March 2023, GroupM, WPP’s media investment arm, expanded its Media Inclusion Initiative to include a 5% pledge, encouraging brands to allocate at least 5% of their annual media budgets to Black, Hispanic, AAPI, and LGBTQ+ media outlets. Within the first year, the program led to a triple-digit increase in client investments in Black-owned media, driving measurable inclusion within media buying strategies.

Read more here: GroupM expands media inclusion initiative to Include 5% pledge for black, hispanic, AAPI and LGBTQ+ communities

Corporate Pride pullback

Several major firms, including Target and Anheuser‑Busch, have reduced their visible support for Pride Month due to conservative backlash and political pressures.

Target pulled some of its Pride-themed merchandise in 2024–25 amid reported threats and vandalism concerns. Anheuser‑Busch also stepped away from its 30-year sponsorship of St. Louis PrideFest in March 2025. These changes have left LGBTQ+ organisations facing significant funding shortfalls, with some Pride groups in the U.S. reporting budget gaps ranging from $200,000 to $750,000.

Read more here: Pride events face budget shortfalls as US corporations pull support ahead of summer festivities

Canada

Indigenous language journalism expansion

CBC/Radio‑Canada launched its 2024–2027 National Indigenous Strategy, its largest-ever initiative to enhance Indigenous-language programming and representation. CBC North now broadcasts approximately 125 hours weekly in eight Indigenous languages, including Cree, Inuktitut, and Michif. The strategy also includes partnerships with APTN and the Indigenous Screen Office to support Indigenous-led storytelling and content production.

Read more here: National Indigenous Strategy

Brazil

Favela media collectives set new standard

Grassroots media groups in Rio’s favelas, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), are pioneering youth-led editorial boards, open newsroom policies and community accountability models. Their approach is inspiring publishers across Latin America, aiming to reflect rather than exploit marginalised communities.

See it in action here.

Latin America

Championing women and non-binary journalists

Across Latin America, Chicas Poderosas, founded in 2013, remains an influential force championing women and non-binary journalists. In 2024 and 2025, the organisation has expanded its focus to collaborative investigative reporting on gender violence and the spread of misinformation, while also launching new digital safety training programmes in response to escalating online harassment faced by women journalists in the region. Brazil’s grassroots media collectives in Rio’s favelas continue to set a regional standard for youth-led editorial boards and transparent newsroom practices, increasingly looked to by other Latin American publishers seeking models for coverage that reflects rather than exploits marginalised communities.

Read more here.

AFRICA

Africa No Filter’s narrative report

Africa No Filter’s research continues to show that around 70% of international media coverage about Africa remains framed around conflict, corruption or crisis, a pattern documented in its 2023 Africa in the Headlines report and still widely referenced by media and policymakers in 2025. This persistent narrative bias contributes to an estimated $5.1 billion in additional annual borrowing costs for African nations, as negative perceptions inflate risk premiums.

In 2025, Africa No Filter has stepped up its response, awarding new grants through its Change the Narrative Fund to support journalists and creatives producing nuanced, opportunity-focused stories across the continent. Recent projects funded this year include multimedia reporting on African tech innovation, climate resilience initiatives and African-led peacebuilding efforts, aiming to disrupt stereotypes and present a fuller picture of the region’s realities.

Africa No Filter’s data and funding efforts are increasingly shaping discussions in global policy circles, with development banks and investors citing narrative change as a key factor in improving Africa’s investment climate. As Africa faces new geopolitical challenges, including the impacts of shifting global trade dynamics and climate crises, the push for balanced and diverse storytelling has become even more urgent in 2025.

Minority Africa’s AI editorial triage

Minority Africa, working across Nigeria and Uganda, has been testing CustomGPT tools to help editors manage high volumes of story pitches while ensuring underrepresented voices remain visible. The project highlights the balance between efficiency and the risk of algorithmically filtering out minority-led narratives.

South Africa’s DEI watchdog debate

Debate continues in South Africa over persistent racial and gender bias in media coverage, with research and commentary from platforms such as The Conversation Africa highlighting the underrepresentation of Black women and marginalised communities in both newsroom staffing and news narratives. While the Press Code and the Press Ombud provide existing mechanisms for ethical oversight, critics argue these structures lack sufficient power to address entrenched inequalities or systemic bias. Although there is currently no formal proposal for an independent DEI watchdog, calls for stronger regulatory frameworks and accountability are growing as part of the broader national discourse on transforming South African media to reflect the country’s full diversity.

Women in News

WAN-IFRA’s Women in News programme is celebrating its fifteenth anniversary in 2025, marking a milestone in its efforts to transform news leadership in Africa. Over 1,500 women have now completed the programme’s rigorous training, and the newly launched WIN Data Hub is gathering fresh metrics on gender gaps in newsrooms across the continent. This year, the programme has expanded its focus to include digital safety for women journalists, addressing rising concerns over online harassment and threats targeting female media workers.

Disability inclusion initiatives

UNESCO’s campaign to integrate disability inclusion into African newsrooms has made significant strides since the Accra Declaration was announced in 2024. In 2025, UNESCO began distributing practical newsroom guidelines and video masterclasses, with dozens of African outlets reportedly adopting these standards. UNESCO has also launched a grant programme this year to support African media organisations actively working to make newsrooms more inclusive for persons with disabilities, a group historically neglected in both staffing and coverage.

ASIA-PACIFIC

Australia and New Zealand

Disability representation gaps

Unstereotype Alliance Australia’s first national research (released late 2024) found that 52% of Australians with disabilities do not feel positively portrayed in media and advertising content. In response, the Alliance launched its Inclusive Media Playbook and “3Ps Toolkit” (covering Presence, Perspective and Personality) to help guide advertisers in casting authentically and avoiding stereotypes. These initiatives form part of a broader global push, via the Unstereotype Alliance, to link diversity with accountability and representation in advertising industries worldwide.

Media Diversity Australia and ABC’s 2025 focus on tangible change

Media Diversity Australia (MDA), founded in 2017, remains a prominent force pushing for greater cultural and linguistic diversity in Australian newsrooms. Although no new edition of its landmark Who Gets to Tell Australian Stories? report was released in 2025, MDA has dedicated the first half of 2025 to working directly with media executives to transform past findings into concrete action. In recent months, MDA has hosted closed-door roundtables with network CEOs and news directors, aiming to embed diversity targets into corporate performance indicators and tie representation directly to business outcomes and executive accountability.

While full parity remains a work in progress, MDA has singled out the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS), Australia’s multilingual, multicultural public broadcaster, for maintaining some of the strongest on-air diversity in the industry, with several time slots nearing balanced cultural and linguistic representation. Nonetheless, significant gaps persist, particularly in senior leadership, and MDA has announced plans for a new research update in early 2026 to measure progress more rigorously.

Meanwhile, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation has begun implementing initiatives under its 2024–2026 Reconciliation Action Plan. In 2025, ABC expanded the use of Indigenous languages in weather segments and cultural programming and launched mentorship schemes aimed at boosting Indigenous representation in journalism. Despite visible improvements on screen, ABC’s latest diversity reporting confirms Indigenous Australians remain underrepresented in senior management roles — a priority flagged for focused action over the remainder of the year.

Across Australia, diversity efforts are increasingly intertwined with broader debates about media trust and sustainability, as audiences demand that newsrooms better reflect the communities they serve. As of July 2025, the sector is cautiously optimistic but continues to face calls for faster, measurable change.

Women’s Leadership Institute Australia (WLIA)

The Women’s Leadership Institute Australia (WLIA) remains a prominent voice advocating for gender balance in Australia’s newsrooms and media coverage. Its Women for Media 2024 report confirmed that women accounted for 41% of front-page bylines across major newspapers in 2023, up from 36% in the previous reporting cycle. Yet significant gaps remain behind the scenes: women still make up only 28% of quoted expert sources, particularly in politics, economics and science.

WLIA continues to advocate for voluntary “quote quotas”, encouraging newsrooms to track and publicly report the gender breakdown of experts quoted in coverage. The proposal has sparked ongoing debate among editors and journalists, with some supporting the push for transparency, while others raise concerns about editorial independence and potential tokenism.

As of mid-2025, the institute has not released a new report but remains active in industry discussions about improving representation, linking these efforts to wider conversations around media trust and the need for newsrooms to reflect the diversity of the audiences they serve.

Japan

Gender parity framed as a business strategy

Nikkei, Japan’s largest financial news organisation, has publicly committed to improving gender balance in leadership as part of its sustainability goals, acknowledging that diversity is increasingly viewed as a driver of both credibility and business resilience. Although Nikkei has not released internal data directly linking gender-diverse leadership to audience or revenue growth, the company has expressed its intention to promote more women into management roles, including editorial positions. Industry observers note that gender diversity remains a challenge across Japanese media and Nikkei’s efforts are seen as part of a broader national push to close gaps in leadership representation.

Phillipines

Press freedom under continued pressure in 2025

Press freedom in the Philippines remains under significant threat in 2025, as both legal and legislative challenges continue to affect independent journalism. Maria Ressa, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and CEO of Rappler, still faces unresolved legal battles from earlier cyber-libel and tax cases, leaving the outlet’s future uncertain despite no new charges being filed this year. Rappler, known for its investigative reporting and critical stance towards government policies, remains a symbol of the broader fight for media independence in the country.

A key concern in 2025 is a proposed “foreign agents” bill, which would compel media outlets receiving funding from foreign sources to register as foreign agents if they engage in activities deemed to promote the interests of those foreign entities. The bill, reminiscent of similar laws in Russia, could be used to target and potentially silence critical media by imposing strict registration requirements, financial disclosures and penalties for non-compliance. Press freedom groups warn that such legislation risks labelling independent outlets as foreign-influenced or unpatriotic, undermining public trust and shrinking the space for diverse reporting.

As of July 2025, debates over the foreign agents bill remain active in the Philippine Congress, keeping newsrooms on edge and threatening to reshape the country’s media landscape. The outcome will be crucial for the future of independent journalism and diverse voices in the Philippines.

Asia

The Advancing News Diversity in Asia

In Asia, the Advancing News Diversity in Asia initiative, launched by AAJA-Asia in 2021, has completed its first comprehensive diversity audit across multiple countries. Findings confirm the ongoing underrepresentation of women and religious minorities in editorial leadership roles. The initiative is planning regional conferences throughout 2025 to share best practices and encourage more concrete steps from regional media companies. Additionally, WAN-IFRA’s Women in News programme, which initially took root in Africa, has established a strong foothold in Southeast Asia, providing leadership coaching for women journalists in countries including Vietnam, Myanmar and Malaysia. Many participants report significant career progression within months of completing the programme, underscoring the effectiveness of targeted DEI interventions in the region.

Emerging community-driven media projects continue to flourish across Asia-Pacific. In India and Indonesia, grassroots outlets rely on citizen reporters to cover issues affecting lower-caste, rural or Indigenous communities, often ignored by national mainstream media. Pacific Island journalists, meanwhile, are collaborating with Australian and New Zealand outlets to bring Pacific perspectives into global news conversations, aided by grants such as the Walkley Foundation’s Sean Dorney Grant for Pacific journalism.

We need your help

As this Tracker shows, diversity, equity and inclusion in media is a rapidly evolving story, filled with both progress and challenges. We know there are many initiatives, big and small, happening all over the world.

If you’re aware of DEI programmes, projects or breakthroughs in your region that deserve to be highlighted, we’d love to hear from you. Please share your updates so we can include them in our next report, scheduled for release in October 2025.

You can reach us at: info@fipp.com