DMG Media supports a number of initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion within the organisation itself and across the wider industry.

Journalism Diversity Fund

DMG Media has been a key sponsor and supporter of the JDF since its inception in 2005. The fund awards bursaries to ‘diverse’ students – in the widest possible sense – who would not otherwise be able to afford to pay for the training required to get into the industry.

In addition to providing a significant donation each year, the titles offer valuable assistance to the JDF and its applicants through a number of other support initiatives, including work experience and mentoring.

Work experience can be particularly difficult to obtain for people from different backgrounds who lack the networks and skills necessary to secure it. To assist with this, the Mail offers all JDF recipients the possibility of work experience on the paper regardless of whether they wish to pursue a career with the Mail.

The Mail also provides mentors to help guide JDF students into the industry. Mail reporters have also spoken at JDF events and senior executives regularly assist with the interviewing process.

Stephen Lawrence Scholarship Programme

The Stephen Lawrence scholarship programme is the Mail’s flagship initiative. Founded in 2015, in honour of the murdered teenager on whose behalf the Mail famously campaigned for 25 years, the scheme has taken on a number of trainees from ethnic minorities.

Under the programme, the Mail pays successful applicants to attend News Associates or City University courses. Once completed, trainees receive five months of tailored training in London and the regions before joining the Mail’s busy newsroom, where development continues to be closely monitored by experienced members of its editorial team. The programme has been expanded to include the Scottish office in Glasgow.

Key contacts: Sue Ryan, sue.ryan@dailymail.co.uk; Peter Sands, petersandssms@gmail.com

GG2 Young Journalist of the Year

The Mail has sponsored the GG2 Young Journalist of the Year award every year since 2010. The award is run in conjunction with the Asian Media Marketing Group and provides a valuable career boost for an aspiring ethnic minority journalist. Winners are offered a cash prize and work experience at the Mail, paving the way to a potential career on the
paper’s reporting team.

Key contacts: Shailesh Solanki, shailesh.solanki@amg.biz; Apple Cueto, apple.cueto@amg.biz

Student View

In 2020, the Daily Mail took part for the first time in Student View, a new outreach initiative designed to teach media literacy to school-age students from poorer backgrounds as well as to inspire them to consider a career in journalism.

Student View takes ‘newsrooms’ into schools in underprivileged areas. The Mail sponsored its first newsroom at the Ernest Bevin school in Tooting. Senior members of the editorial team provided expertise and assistance to 30 Year 11 students in what the Mail hopes will be a lasting relationship with the school.

Key Contacts: Solomon Elliott s.elliott@thestudentview.org; Caitlin Webb, c.webb@thestudentview.org

PressPad

Metro’s Charity Committee supports PressPad, an award-winning social enterprise fighting to lower the financial barrier to entry into journalism. PressPad links young people with work experience in journalism with experienced journalists who can offer a spare room plus advice. As well as assisting with accommodation costs, the programme has also equipped prospective journalists with vital mentoring and networking opportunities.

Key Contacts: Olivia Crellin, olivia@presspad.co.uk

Commercial departments

DMG’s commercial departments are also committed to diversity and inclusion. Below are some of the initiatives and programmes, as well as other support offered.

• Mail Metro Media, the advertising arm of DMG Media, signed up to the Adland Commits Black Lives Matter charter last year. The charter, compiled by global consultancy Creative Equals, asks that media owners commit to 10 actions for change.

• In 2021 Mail Metro Media launched its first Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Champions network. The network consists of 20+ employees who volunteer to drive the conversation around inclusion. All Champions commit to Mental Health First Aider training and must complete the IPA Diversity Certificate.

• Mail Metro Media launched the MMM x Equality Sessions to bring in keynote speakers to talk about inclusive language, ethnicity, and why diversity is a bonus in the media industry.

• The advertising, marketing, finance and communications teams took part in the Creative Equals Equality Standards survey, which helps the business identify areas of improvement and also benchmarks DMG against an industry standard.

• DMG Media’s recruitment team has reviewed its entire process to eliminate unconscious bias in hiring.

• The advertising team launched DMG Media’s first LGBTQ+ network, welcoming members and allies from all parts of the business.

• Mail Metro Media is a headline partner for Campaign’s Female Frontiers – a ceremony that champions and celebrates women changing the face of advertising.

• Mail Metro Media is a supporter of Brixton Finishing School and the Ad-Cademy; an organisation set up to channel entry-level talent from all backgrounds into advertising.

• DMG Media donates media space to Creative Pioneers, which seeks to bring apprentices from various backgrounds into the media industry.