More Diverse, More Inclusive

RTÉ is committed to inspiring leadership in diversity and inclusion

Gender	Headcount Dec 2021
Female	893 (48%)
Male	978 (52%)
Total	1,871 (100%)

Supporting Creative Futures

RTÉ Creative Futures took place in UCD in November and gathered 20 aspiring media professionals from communities traditionally underrepresented in the Irish media. The aim of the weekend was twofold; to impart essential skills and knowledge for navigating a career in the media sector, and to engage collectively in an analysis of the current landscape of media production in Ireland. The weekend provided (i) skills sessions with a focus on low-cost production, e.g., podcasting, photography, and mobile journalism, (ii) peer networking, (iii) a safe space to share concerns and questions and (iv) workshops on programme formats and pitching. RTÉ Creative Futures is a collaboration between RTÉ and the Creative Futures Academy.

Diversity in Content

The Diversity in Content Group brings together senior leaders across the organisation to work with RTÉ’s Director-General and our Diversity & Inclusion lead to review, discuss and progress all RTÉ’s efforts when it comes to diversity and inclusion in our content. The group is also joined by a HR representative.

RTÉ is an external partner to the 50:50 Equality Project - an initiative rooted in data, creativity, practicality, and passion to fundamentally shift representation within the media. This voluntary, self-monitoring system has been adopted by a number of radio, television and online teams to look at the gender diversity in our content.

Changing Perceptions via 20x20

The 20 x 20 campaign was focused on increasing levels of female sports coverage, female representation and participation, and increased attendance and engagement with female sporting events. For RTÉ, this meant looking at our editorial choices, our marketing, our research, and the diversity of our own teams. Research conducted to assess RTÉ impacts showed that 66% of those surveyed said that RTÉ had influenced them to watch more live women’s sport; 60% watched more live women’s sport; 23% attended more women’s sports matches. RTÉ Sport’s work on the 20x20 campaign was shortlisted for the SVG Europe Women Award for Diversity in Sports TV.

Celebrating International Women’s Day

RTÉ marked International Women’s Day with a wide range of themed content across news, current affairs, sport, music and entertainment, arts and Irish across our television, radio and online services celebrating women’s achievements, and raising awareness against bias. In addition, along with a series of staff events, RTÉ ran an all-day bespoke campaign across Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn to celebrate the #ChooseToChallenge theme. The campaign featured singer, Tolü Makay, engineer/scientist/writer, Dr Niamh Shaw, Professor Luke O’Neill, Director-General, Dee Forbes, motorbike racer, Grace Poutch, and Anna Marie McHugh of the National Ploughing Association.

Celebrating with Pride

RTÉ continued its celebration of Pride and our official partnership with Dublin LGBTQ+ Pride with a comprehensive programme of content across RTÉ.ie, RTÉ 2fm, and RTÉ Player. This included: A full week of music, interviews and entertainment across RTÉ 2fm, including a live collaboration with Mother, Dublin; A series of videos from RTÉ 2fm’s Adam Hogan talking to leaders from LGBTQI+ community groups from all over Ireland, showcasing their work and the challenges they face; Online comedy talent and acting muinteor, Shane Daniel Byrne presented his six lessons on Queer History on RTÉ Player, RTÉ.ie/Lifestyle and RTÉ’s social channels; A special collaboration for Virtual Pride Parade with a range of young LGBTQ+ artists. RTÉ’s dedicated destination for all things RTÉ Pride, www.rte.ie/Pride, is updated regularly.

Stronger Together

RTÉ supported Traveller Pride Week – the annual two-week initiative celebrating and promoting Travellers’ contributions and achievements across Irish life – with an awareness-raising social media campaign.

Black and Irish

RTÉ again supported Black History Month with a six-part series, Black History Lessons which explored Black History through the stories of influential figures, key historical moments, and fascinating stories from the black community. The Black and Irish podcast returned for the second season with ten episodes. Through conversations with truly inspiring individuals, Leon Diop, Femi Bankole, Amanda Ade and Boni Odoemene, explored the culture and identity, along with the struggles and successes of the black Irish community – all told through their personal stories and experiences.