NEWSPAPER EVALUATION SHEET Country: NETHERLANDS Newspaper: Metro

Transcription

1 NEWSPAPER EVALUATION SHEET Country: NETHERLANDS Newspaper: Metro Introduction METRO is a free newspaper, which is distributed at shops, in train and metro stations throughout the Netherlands, and in terms of distribution and readership has high figures, higher than the quality press. It has local editions for the main cities in the Netherlands, but for our sample we used the national edition. Metro proclaims to have a wide readership among immigrants, who also use it to learn Dutch, as the language used in the newspaper is very accessible. It also has a wide readership among young urban people in general. It pays a lot of attention to news on topics as transport, music, lifestyle and cultural events. It is quite colorful and diverse in the pictures it publishes front-page, also of people of migrant origin occasionally (mainstream news stories) it aims to reflect the diversity of the cities in which its readership is based. Positive news related to migrants may be cultural events, educational initiatives, or Metro has a small newsroom and large part of national news reports are news agency based reports. Most news published is national, foreign news is limited to 2 pages at the end of the paper. Therefore national events acquire more easily front-page/visible status, e.g. in our sample a report about a solidarity action for an asylum seekers who risked being evicted, which did not appear in the other media outlets during the sampling period, except AD. The methodology for assessing METRO was based on four Indicators, built in the framework of MEDIVA project (see MEDIVA Diversity Indicators, a Tool Kit), which aimed at monitoring and evaluating the newspaper s capacity to reflect migration related diversity and promote migrant integration. The evaluation of indicators 2-4 and the calculation of relevant scores attributed to them were based on the responses given by the editor in chief of the newspaper during a telephone interview conducted in the summer of The calculation of the score for each indicator was the average of all answers to the subquestions; when sub-questions did not apply (e.g. in training indicator) because the main question resulted not applicable, the total score average was based only on the applicable cases. The indicator 1 was scored through a content analysis of national news related articles published during February 2012.

2 INDICATOR 2 News making Total score: 2.3 (Low) 2.1. Existence of specialized sections on news from migrants countries of origin EXPLANATION of scoring: They do run diversity initiatives but do not have specific remit on migrants countries of origin. In general, foreign news has only 2 pages in the overall newspaper. Information about local cultural events is more important for their readership. We do look at the proportion men-women, but I don t count the migrants, that depends on the topic. But since we are in the big cities mainly which means that in the Hague Rotterdam Amsterdam you get a very diverse picture, also in the paper, with all cultures that are represented If there are such sections in the newspaper, are they at one of the most visible pages of the newspaper EXPLANATION of scoring: Foreign news gets hardly ever front-page coverage but specials about refugees or solidarity actions for migrants, or cultural events, for example do get full-page interviews with pictures or even front-page coverage Existence of editions in the languages of the main migrant groups of the country EXPLANATION of scoring: Metro international has occasionally special published editions in migrant languages, in cooperation with NGOs Existence of specialized journalists on migrants and diversity issues EXPLANATION of scoring: The outlet does not have people who are working exclusively on migration issues, it does not have any specialists though because they do not publish background stories, only human interest stories occasionally. We don t have a large newsroom there are other issues that are more important. One is public transport. It is important, but it is not number 1. We don t publish backgrounds, we are not the type of newspaper to publish backgrounds on any subject. Sometimes we do it. This is also why we don t have specialists. We think that entertainment is important, more than in other newspapers. We have regional newsrooms too. We have a small newsroom, we don t have specialists for specific subject areas Filtering of migrant-related news Sources for the news and verifying information (fact-checking)

3 EXPLANATION of scoring: The use of press agencies and releases is quite prominent in Metro because it is a free and relatively small newspaper with no budget for research journalism, but other sources, very important to balance, independently of the news. We use the usual sources that everyone uses, and organizations that work in this area, specialists, but also people in the street. There is a wide range of sources. We do chose a perspective, but we don t take sides on such issues. We can t and are not allowed. We don t give comments on issues either. We try to always balance our sources. We don t have to sell our news so we don t have this problem that we would need to bring more negative news because it sells more. We do not let ourselves be led by the political agenda, only when there are big cases. Otherwise we can t be bothered with the political agenda. We don t have correspondents in The Hague [the political capital] because we don t find that necessary. Our sources come from closer to the readership Who chooses what migration related news to is be published EXPLANATION of scoring: The chief editor and the readership profile decide what is published, readership includes migrants. Our target group and readership is youth, we are market leader in years, and years, on average higher educated, young families, students Does the newspaper have an open comments section (reacting to published articles). If they have it, do they edit it for racist language? Very low: 1 EXPLANATION of scoring: Comments to the website are not possible Adoption of ethical reporting guidelines with regard to vulnerable groups and specifically with regard to immigrants and minorities EXPLANATION of scoring: ethical reporting guidelines specifically for migrant-related reporting do not exist at Metro, but it does pay a migrant readership into account. In the big cities we have a number of migrants that read Metro and we keep this into account. In cultural news we also pay attention to festivals that celebrate diversity and different cultures. But no guidelines. It is important because of our readers. They often use the paper to learn Dutch as a second language, Metro can be an introduction to learn the language because we are accessible in our language use. We are a very clear paper, we use clear non-complex words and a side effect of this is that it appeals to people who do not have Dutch as their first language % of our papers go to Rotterdam, which is a city full of nationalities, if you reach half the city then you can be sure there is a lot of diversity. Our readers use the paper to get informed about cultural events. We are a young paper with a young target group and many migrant readers. Organisations contact us for partnerships for cultural events we are often approached because we reach these groups. The Dunya festival, Festival Mundial, they look for us for cooperation. In order to give information. The traditional press does not have this.

4 INDICATOR 3: MEDIA RECRUITMENT AND EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES Total score: 2 (Low) 3.1. Application of measures that are aimed at ensuring that the company s staff reflects the ethnic composition of the migrant population EXPLANATION of scoring: Although there is awareness of diversity in recruitment, the chief editor is struggling to accomplish it. In fact, diversity is represented among staff other than editors and reporters, i.e. working in desktop publishing, finance, sales; applications by migrant reporters or - interns are rare. At the moment we do not have migrant journalists, and never had. We do want it, but it is not on offer. But we do have 10-15% migrant staff. Also interns that we cannot influence, hardly any I think one migrant Turkish Kurd was here. In the 3 years I work here there was one migrant intern, while we get 16 per year. I can t implement policies if there are no vacancies. When we have a vacancy there is a lot of interest, I think 1-2% max is migrant. Metro does publish several columns written by people of migrant background Discrimination in the recruitment of third country nationals as media professionals Existence of anti-discrimination measures aimed at preventing discrimination in the recruitment practices of the specific media EXPLANATION of scoring: The outlet is aware of anti-discrimination measures, and does not consciously exclude anyone, but has not specifically implemented any measures Existence of outreach schemes that involve mentoring or supporting individuals from an immigrant background Very low: 1 EXPLANATION of scoring: Outreach schemes do not exist Monitoring/evaluation of the implementation of such schemes by the newspaper company itself Not applicable. EXPLANATION of scoring: since there are no schemes, they are not evaluated either Existence of special diversity departments Very Low: 1 EXPLANATION of scoring: there is no HR diversity department.

5 INDICATOR 4 - MEDIA TRAINING PRACTICES Total score: 1.5 (Very low-low) Diversity goals are included in HR policies but not specifically for training (very low: 1) Existence of training opportunities tailored to the needs of migrant media professionals EXPLANATION of scoring: They do not run training that is tailored to the needs of migrant professionals. However, they do get invitations from cultural organisations and NGOs to publish stories or do specials because they have a very diverse readership. 4.2.a) Existence of courses aiming at raising the awareness of media professionals on diversity and how it should be reported Very Low: 1 EXPLANATION of scoring: Generally the feeling is they are aware enough and that there is no need for training b) Existence of an obligation to attend such courses Not applicable EXPLANATION of scoring : no training for anybody, thus no obligation to attend courses Involvement of migrant or minority representatives/ experts in design and/ or implementation of such diversity training Not applicable EXPLANATION of scoring: no training exists 4.4. Monitoring and reporting systems for ethno-cultural diversity training Not applicable EXPLANATION of scoring: no training on diversity is offered 4.5. Diversity goals included in HR training policies for all levels of staff Very low: 1 EXPLANATION of scoring: Not existent.

6 INDICATOR 1. CONTENT ANALYSIS FOR 4 INDICATORS BASED ON NATIONAL NEWS-RELATED ARTICLES, INCLUDING REPORTS, BACKGROUND STORIES, LETTERS TO THE EDITOR AND OPINION PIECES, NATIONAL METRO EDITION DURING FEBRUARY TOTAL score: 2.5 (Low-Medium). Total: 363 news items sampled, 38 were migration related (10.5%). Positive (5) vs. negative (1) representation of migrants in the news: Average score: Medium (2.7); Active (5) vs. passive (1) representation of migrants in the news: average score 3.3 (medium); Immigrant views represented in mainstream news: 7 news items (18.4%) (medium: 3); Immigrant views represented in migrant-specific news: 5 news items (very low: 1), this is mostly related to the agency-based character of the majority of news items in the outlet and the absence of background reports or specialist reporters (small newsroom). Indicator 1.1: Positive v. Negative: Medium: 2.7 Indicator 1.2: Active v. passive:.3 Indicator 1.3: Immigrant views represented in mainstream news: Indicator 1.4: Immigrant views represented in migrant-specific News: Very low: 1

7 total stories Date difference between income between migrants and non increased scp/cbs data burqa ban opinion piece skimmers roemenie 1 5 oosteuropeanen meldpunt 3 3 pvv en ambass polen migratie 3 3 opinion piece cabaret standup comedian steals joke from NL colleague russian bomb alert airport 1 5 burqa ban 1 1 opinion piece pvv meldpunt 3 3 easteuropeans, position rutte, short article russian bomb alert airport 3 3 short article about motive opinion piece intolerance/fear culture polen wie zijn het 3 3 facts/figures migration 3 3 letter rubrique eastern european migration 1 3 letter rubrique wilder ep discrim charge meldpunt 3 3 Separate category ironic, in opinion pieces the negative representations are often ironic, by women of mixed descent, one of Dutch-Turkish, one of Dutch- Algerian origin

8 pvv meldpunt 3 3 opinion piece, mocking the dutch mentality (the author is migrant origin) letter rubrique reaction to opinion piece 5 3 Metro opinion/letter rubric anti-polish website and about the burqa ban letter rubrique reaction to opinion piece 5 5 meldpunt was coded as passive having bad things done to them, unless there was an active reaction by migrants. This article it is bad things that are said by a guest Islam, but the people who are in debate with him are actively doing good, and are neutral in their representation sharia debate al haddad polen meldpunt 3 3 brieven rubriek social media use of social media at schools mobile internet mobile internet costs youth, one among several interviewees id on sabbat boy victim of aggression salah barrow is name human trafficking negative, tofik dibi MP is quoted is positive. MPs of migrant background are quoted in the news - normalisation. 1 of 4 total MP/hotshots quotes illegal escorts visa for chinese letter rubrique illegal escorts MP Kadijah Arib ask questions in parliament rapper arrested crime report albayrak candidate short with picture picture with caption, photo portrays white and colored kid playing footbal sport foundaiton fashion week amsterdam a foreign looking fashion model on photo abdul blijven 3 3 0

9 samen lunchen black 1 indian child on photo asylum seeker abdul blijven sadet karabulut mainstream news about food aid to poor; SP MP cited among 4 wet eu goedkopere muziek 0 0 Abdul moet blijven vinden ze in Hazerswoude illegale uitbuiters gearresteerd Total column benmahjoud about housing org. Amsterdam, PVV and anti-migr. Hate