Corporate initiatives

Media24 aims to be a responsible corporate role player by making a constructive and sustainable contribution to the South African economy and business sector. To this end the company has several strategic priorities, including social responsibility, transformation, employment equity, a products and services procurement policy, an HIV/Aids policy and good business practices such as a whistle-blower policy and an integrity charter.

Media24’s skills development strategy involves both expanding the talent pool for the media industry (through apprenticeships, learnerships, bursaries and internships) and deepening the talent pool within the company (through internal and external training, coaching and mentoring).

Media24 Journalism Academy

Media24 established a journalism academy which manages long-term journalism internships, postgraduate bursaries and training of Media24 journalists.  In January 2009, 29 interns graduated from the Academy after a year's training and work experience at the company's newspapers, magazines and online media.  The Academy is headed by acclaimed journalist and former City Press editor,  Mathatha Tsedu. . Forty-five beneficiaries are currently included in the 2010 Academy programme i.e. 12 learners, 16 trainees and  17 bursary holders


Corporate social investment

The expansion of Media24’s volunteerism programme was the key focus during the past financial year.  Over 200 employees were involved in a number of initiatives which included upgrading the community, administration and computer centres of a primary school and developing a green-initiative in Elsies River, Cape Town; raising funds for an HIV/Aids project in KwaZulu-Natal by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, several toy drives for preschools and support for the Unite Against Crime intiative.

Media24’s magazines and newspapers annually provide editorial and advertising space in excess of R20million to hundreds of community-based and non-governmental organizations throughout South Africa.  In this way, information is shared and public awareness created around a number of issues including crime prevention, poverty, education, health and job creation.

Media24 is a keen supporter of the arts and has been a founding sponsor of the KKNK, Aardklop, Volksblad and Suidoosterfees festivals.  The company’s contribution is specifically focused on providing opportunities for emerging young artists and making productions accessible to previously disadvantages communities.  In particular, Media24 supports the development of several high school prescribed reading books into stage productions which attract thousands of learners to city-based theatres each year.



Transformation and Scorecard
(MEDIA24 SCORECARD DOWNLOAD)

·    Media24 retained its level 4 rating despite cutbacks and headcount reduction due to the recession

·    Media24 is now rated as a value added supplier allowing customers to claim 125% of spend as BEE spend which is equivalent to a level 2 rating

·    Media24 increased its Management and Control score through the appointment of a black female as company secretary

·    In the management bands (grades C-E) an improvement of employment equity aggregate from 34% to 35% black people achieved.

·    Skills development expenditure for the period April – January 2010 recorded of R12 million, of which 30% or R3,6 million was spent on black beneficiaries.   

·    4 928 employees received training, of which 53% are black (26% black men and 28% black women)


·    127 bursaries were awarded to Media24 employees for part-time study in 2010. 72% of bursary recipients are black employees and 38% of recipients are black female employees


2. GOOD BUSINESS PRACTICES

In line with good corporate governance and its goal to become an employer of choice, Media24 has implemented a number of business practices and policies in support of this goal.

Media24 introduced a comprehensive strategy to manage HIV/Aids in the workplace which includes training and information workshops to all its business units throughout the country; the distribution of condoms; free HIV/Aids testing and counselling and establishing employee task teams to facilitate the process.

On 1 April 2010, all Media24-owned offices, buildings and production plants have been declared smoke-free.  This is in line with the company’s overall employee wellness programme.




Media24 has a voluntary prepaid, confidential employee assistance programme that offers problem identification and reference services to employees and their family members. Counsellors provide support and guidance for a wide range of problems including family and relationship problems, alcohol and drug abuse, emotional or stress-related problems, conflict in the workplace and serious medical problems or illnesses.

Media24’s whistleblower policy helps to create a culture of disclosure, enabling staff and external stakeholders to report criminal or improper conduct.

The Media24 Integrity Charter endorses ethical principles for every aspect of the company’s business operations, employment practices and personnel management. It encompasses personal, professional and organisational integrity and forms part of the Naspers group’s code of ethics.