In September 2018, the United Nations launched the SDG Media Compact, an initiative marking a new drive to advance awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals, (SDGs). The SDG Media Compact began with 31 founding media and entertainment companies and has grown into a powerful alliance of almost 400 members around the world, spanning 160 countries on five continents, with a combined audience of about 2 billion people worldwide.
The SDG Media Compact seeks to inspire news and entertainment organizations to leverage their resources and talent to amplify and accelerate progress towards achieving the Goals
The Compact provides a gateway to the UN for industry leaders and innovators interested in deepening their commitment to supporting the achievement of the SDGs.
From large broadcasters, entertainment companies and established print media, to news agencies, radio stations and digital publishers, the SDG Media Compact has become a powerful driver for advocacy and action on the SDGs.
SDG Media Compact members receive regular opportunities for engagement with UN experts on key issues relating to the SDGs as well as regular updates, relevant content and insights on UN priorities issues.
Members of the SDG Media Compact remain independent and free to define for themselves how to take action under the Compact, with guidance and expertise from the UN on thematic and substantive issues, when needed. While the Compact does not prescribe any specific action from participants, members are expected to commit to engaging on the SDGs by leveraging their creative talent and resources to develop content focussed on SDG related issues and/or scaling up their sustainability practices.
IN FOCUS
What our members are saying about the SDG Media Compact
Latest News
Interview with the European Broadcasting Union
Nanette Braun, Chief of Communications Campaigns at the United Nations, spoke to Dr Alexandra Borchardt, Lead Author of EBU News Report 2023: Climate Journalism That Works – Between Knowledge and Impact, in an interview published by the European Broadcasting Union – an alliance of public service media.
In the interview, Ms. Braun discussed the role of media in combating climate change, stressing that showcasing solutions keeps people engaged. “We want to hook people on hope, not on fear,” she says. “We want to provide them with the understanding that everybody can contribute.”
Read the entire interview here.
‘Promise of 1.5°C’ Campaign
The “Promise of 1.5°C” is an initiative by member organizations of the SDG Media Compact – a global network of media companies that signed on to promote the SDGs. “Japan, as a major greenhouse gas emitter – but also as a great innovator in sustainability, green technologies and energy efficiency – can lead the way,” said Melissa Fleming, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications. “I look forward to seeing this campaign mobilize action across Japan and inspire others to follow suit.”
For more information, read our article.
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Member Benefits
By joining the Media Compact, members are given priority access to senior UN leadership, content experts and other specialised events and initiatives that seek to deepen member’s knowledge and engagement,
- A gateway to the UN: Networking opportunities and access to UN decision makers and thought leaders, including the opportunity to participate in an annual high-profile Media Forum hosted by senior UN leadership.
- Access to inspiring human-interest stories and subject experts: Content creation will be inspired and supported through ongoing access to a wide range of powerful human-interest stories and substantive experts across the UN system. Compact members can tap into a deep knowledge base to help guide messaging, inform editorial and original content, ensure authenticity and gain insights.
- Keynote and headline appearances by senior UN leaders at SDG-related industry events and knowledge-building: Where appropriate, senior UN leaders and content experts can be made available for thought-leadership events hosted by members as well as for briefings on key issues around sustainability, such as gender equality and climate change, among other topics.
- Recognition of member engagement: Best practices amplified through UN platforms and events and through industry platforms and events.
How can SDG Media Compact Members support the Goals?
Members of the SDG Media Compact remain independent and free to define for themselves how to take action under the Compact. While the Compact does not prescribe any specific action from participants, members are expected to commit to engaging on the SDGs, either through content and/or sustainability practices, which is confirmed in a letter of intent. There are three key areas where the media and entertainment industry can significantly drive impact and seize the opportunity to create meaningful change:
- Create and disseminate powerful content: The media and entertainment industry are uniquely placed to leverage their expansive pool of talent and creative resources to develop, produce and disseminate content that spotlights the SDGs and the urgent challenges these Goals seek to solve.
- Promote Sustainable Industry Practices: Promote industry-wide engagement to motivate and embed sustainable business practices.
- Drive and grow industry engagement to maximise impact: Members of the media and entertainment industry are encouraged to convene their networks of industry leaders and innovators to champion the SDGs, and in doing so, raise awareness and drive engagement and industry-led action in support of the SDGs.
Membership Criteria
- Membership is open to television and radio broadcasters, print and digital media, entertainment companies, trade associations, content producers as well as organizers of major media events.
- Members must demonstrate a commitment to promoting the Sustainable Development Goals, whether through their editorial content or through corporate initiatives that align with the SDGs.
- Members must either produce original content or aggregate, manage or distribute original content from media and entertainment sources.
- Organizers of major events geared towards bringing together companies that produce content for information and entertainment purposes are invited to join.
- Audience reach is very important. Circulation numbers will be considered as part of membership review.
- Membership is also extended to media and entertainment organizations that have launched corporate initiatives on the SDGs within their organizations or on their corporate platforms.
The Compact is an initiative of the United Nations, launched with the support of FleishmanHillard and the UN Foundation.
If you are a media or entertainment company interested in joining, or need more information, please click “Contact Us” below, writing SDG MEDIA COMPACT in all caps in the subject line.
Resources
Quarterly Newsletter: An easily consumed newsletter for members only, featuring news and insights, upcoming events and informative interviews with UN subject experts, Ambassadors and other SDG Compact members. The newsletter also provides a bespoke platform for Compact members to share and showcase their initiatives and actions in support of the SDGs.
Goal of the Month: Every month, in the context of upcoming events and thematic priorities, we highlight one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and provide an editorial package containing the latest news and resources, expert interviews, reports, and stories of impact.