SDG Media Compact

In Focus: A+E Networks Win MIP SDG Award

SDG Media Compact Members Taking Action to Make A Difference

The second annual MIP SDG Award held during the MIPTV in Cannes, France has been presented to A+E Networks this week in recognition of the network’s ongoing support and commitment to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Speaking during the ceremony, Melissa Fleming, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications called on others in the media and entertainment industry to help drive change for humanity.

“The television industry can play a major role in addressing some of our biggest development challenges – including vaccine access and climate action – as we all work to recover better from the COVID-19 pandemic,” she said. “I congratulate Paul Buccieri and the teams from A+E Networks for including the SDGs in programming and I urge others in the TV industry to also play their part in deploying broadcasting for the greater good of humanity.”

The theme of this year’s award “Reduced Inequalities” is in line with SDG Goal 10.

Lucy Smith, Director of MIPTV, said the award recognises A+E Networks’ long-standing commitment to reducing inequality, promoting diversity and inclusion and fearlessly bringing controversial and important topics to the table.

“We are delighted to honour Paul Buccieri and A+E Networks with this second MIP SDG Award. They are a leading voice in promoting equality and most importantly are committed to taking action and using their platforms to drive change.”

Paul Buccieri, President of A+E Networks reinforced the company’s commitment to promoting equality and diversity.

“We are very grateful to the United Nations and our partners at Reed MIDEM for recognising our team’s commitment to equality, justice, diversity and inclusion.  At A+E Networks, we believe that striving for equality is a never-ending and ongoing journey that we are all on together. Our company has a long-standing history of working towards positive change, and we believe firmly and passionately in using our platforms for purpose. There is more work to be done, and we are honored to continue to join with our partners to achieve these goals.”

Paul Buccieri, President of A+E Networks.

A+E Networks and Reed MIDEM, the organisers of MIPTV, are both SDG Media Compact members. Last year’s award went to Sky TV which is also an SDG Media Compact Member. The SDG Media Compact was launched by the United Nations in September 2018 and marked a new drive to advance awareness of the SDGs.

The Compact seeks to inspire news and entertainment organizations from around the world, to leverage their resources and talent to amplify and accelerate progress towards achieving the Goals.

For more information on the SDG Media Compact or if you are interested in becoming a member, please contact dgccampaigns@un.org

Watch the full video of the MIP SDG Award event here.

The Broadcast Media Still Has a Major Influence on People

Melissa Fleming, UN Under-Secretary-General for Communications  spoke with MIPTV 2021 Preview magazine recently about the important role of media in reducing inequalities and promoting diversity and inclusion. Read the interview below. Use the arrow icon to go to the next page.

Latest News

Over the past year, it has become alarmingly evident that efforts to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic have been undermined by a concurrent global “infodemic”. It has also become clear that public interest media have become more essential and yet more threatened than ever.

Ahead of World Press Freedom Day on May 3, the United Nations Department of Global Communications, in cooperation with the philanthropic organization Luminate, held a panel discussion, “COVID-19: How do we prevent the pandemic becoming a media extinction event”.

In his opening remarks, UN Secretary-General António Guterres stressed the urgency and importance of a robust, credible media. “Maintaining independent, fact-based reporting is an essential global public good, critical to building a safer, healthier, and greener future. Without urgent action by the international community, we could be left with irrevocable damage to all societies and irreparable threats to the Sustainable Development Goals.”

The panelists, discussed the roles of public interest media, technology platforms, and global institutions such as the UN, one year into the infodemic. They also talked about what actions should be taken to strengthen our responses and ensure that trusted, impartial information is accessible to all.

SDGs and Music: Agents of change in action

Music is a potent catalyst for change with the ability to transcend geographic, cultural and language barriers and move people to action. Many of history’s most effective social movements have channeled their message through their music. Now, a new report from the Center for Music Ecosystems, a global research NGO dedicated to increasing the value of music in communities, offers a model to think about the impact music can have on our world and how music can be harnessed to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, (SDGs). The report called, “Your Guide to Music and the SDGs”, is an expansive, global and far-reaching guide to music and the SDGs and covers each of the 17 Global Goals, offering examples, guidance & a new framework that merges our global language – music – with the global language of sustainability.

Learn more and download the guide here.

SDG Media Compact Members

ASIA

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, please contact us, writing SDG MEDIA COMPACT in all caps in the subject line.

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.