Paramount Australia & New Zealand’s Post

Some highlights from the latest study from Paramount Global below on Mi3Australia. Representation on screen is improving, but there's also some bad news. It's certainly on media owners to address some of these findings, but we also need to acknowledge that the entire industry (and advertising spend) have a role to play.

Today we published our 7th Cut Annual Diamond report. I couldn't have done it without my amazing team and DEI leads across the industry. Not many people can say they're able to use their degree in their job but I can proudly say that all the hardwork that went in to my studies I've been able to use throughout my career but particularly in my role as Research and Insights Lead at Creative Diversity Network (CDN) I didn't see my career going in this direction working with TV broadcasters and production companies but my passion has always been making a difference and improving the lives and opportunities of those that are often underrepresented and / or discriminated against. And being able to do that using my skills in data, research, and collaboration is so fulfilling. I truly hope that with this data the industry can use it to drive important change. It's been great to see the increasing representation in contributions from disabled people and minoritised groups however there's still a way to go to ensure we are representative of society especially when delving deeper into senior roles and different genres. I came into this role buzzing to make a difference and full of ideas and I've learned so much with great progress already in the way we report with more accessible versions of the report than before including BSL. That being said, there's still so much more I want to do with intersectional reporting and expanding our data collection which we've already committed to doing in next iterations of Diamond so watch this space! #Diversity #inclusion #representation #DEI #equity #TV #data #evidence #research https://lnkd.in/ezxHTyr3

A little over a year ago, Verian Australia began research to build the insights for the next phase of Stop it at the Start, continuing nearly a decade of work in this space. As we (re)explored issues around violence, gender, and respect, a dramatic shift in context became clear. Young people's understanding and discussions of disrespect, violence, equality, and gender have changed significantly, with a rise of regressive narratives now influencing their thoughts and behaviours. While many of us (as adults) intuitively know there are 'bad' parts of the online/social media world...what we are exposed in our own feeds is not typical of what our young people are seeing. A young man who might be on social media to improve himself (and is potentially looking for a positive way to understand and express his masculinity) can readily encounter content (often masked in a message of self-improvement) that tells him that women are weak, or want to be controlled or suppressed, or that he has to be a dominant alpha. Young men in their teens and 20s told us that as we make progress around gender equality, it is actually creating a sense of loss. Online misogyny is clearly influencing at least some young men to regard gender equality and the elimination of violence as a 'woke' agenda that is excluding them. Here's just a few of the perspectives we heard - this is not to vilify or blame young men for being influenced or for holding these views, but to show how quickly social media rhetoric is shaping beliefs in ways that are neither harmless, nor 'just a phase': - "Equality would feel like if history had completely reversed" (Male, 15-17) - "There’s a lot of protests and stuff for women to get equality but some of them [females] are not willing to put in the work" (Male, 15 - 17) - "I saw on the news where they made every boy, young boys… stand up in a crowd and say sorry to the girl next to them, you know, for domestic violence …some guys out there are really nice, and I feel like sometimes people judge you: you’re a man you probably do this" (male, 15-17) The next phase of Stop it at the Start launches today. It has two important parts which emerged from our insights - an above the line campaign that seeks to raise awareness, and an innovative online experience 'The Algorithm of Disrespect', which simulates the average young person's online experience and the sorts of disrespectful content that is being served to young people on a daily basis. To read more about our insights and evidence, please go to: https://lnkd.in/gkePJnw8 https://lnkd.in/gcDMxP_9 Kirsty MacMillan Joanne Davidson Will Levy Erin Maher #StopItAtTheStart #GenderEquality #RespectMatters #EndViolence #SocialMediaImpact #verian #veriangroup #masculinity #behaviourchange

Watch back! Mine and Tracey Emin's TALK from International Women's Day:

We can look to international models for ways to address the systemic lack of diversity on and off our screens, writes Professor Olivia Khoo: _________ #screen #screenindustry #diversity #representation #media #screenmedia #film #tv #australianarts

So brave! 😭 Here is an absolutely beautiful story about #courage #authenticity #friendship and fighting some of the hardest enemies #loneliness & #depression Please watch, share, and enjoy this heartwarming story so we can create #awareness and #empathy towards this brave and suffering group!     🏳️🌈 (Please LinkedIn add the trans flag emoji)   The LGBTQ community in the United States has experienced significant developments over the past decades. As of 2023, 7.6% of U.S. adults identified as LGBT, more than double the percentage in 2012 [1]. This increase correlates with growing societal acceptance, particularly among younger generations, with 22.3% of Generation Z identifying as LGBT in 2023 [1]. Despite progress, discrimination remains a pressing issue. In 2023, there were 86 anti-LGBTQ hate groups recorded in the U.S. and 1,026 victims of anti-lesbian hate crimes [1]. #Transgender individuals face particular challenges, with 37% of transgender youth aged 13-17 living in states that restrict their participation in school sports consistent with their gender identity as of March 2024 [2]. Mental health is a critical concern, especially for LGBTQ youth. In 2023, almost half of transgender and non-binary youth considered #suicide [1]. Access to affirming healthcare varies by state, with 45% of the U.S. LGBT population living in states with transgender exclusions in health insurance coverage as of 2024 [3]. Politically, there have been both advancements and setbacks. While same-sex marriage was legalized federally in 2015, 31% of Americans in 2022 stated they would like to see it outlawed [1]. State-level policies vary widely, with California scoring highest (42.5) and Tennessee lowest (-14) on LGBTQ+ equality measures in 2024 [4]. My humble conclusion: This is a delicate and ever-changing situation that we must educate ourselves on to provide hope and support. Sources: [1] Topic: Statistics and facts about the LGBTQ+ community in the U.S. [2] Statistic: Share of transgender youth aged 13 to 17 living in states that restrict transgender students from participating in sports consistent with their gender identity in the United States as of March 14, 2024 [3] Statistic: Share of LGBT population living in the U.S. states as of April 2024, by status of transgender exclusions in private health insurance coverage [4] Statistic: Overall policy score for LGBTQ+ related laws and policies in the United States in 2024, by state Statista

The new Stop it at the Start campaign – The Hidden Trends of Disrespect is now live. Find out what new and powerful online and offline influences are impacting young people and their attitudes towards gendered disrespect at respect.gov.au. Violence against women, let’s stop it at the start. https://lnkd.in/gJC89Qrb #stopitatthestart #algorithmofdisrespect #stopviolenceagainstwomen#endviolenceagainstwomen #algorithmofdisrespect #hiddentrendsofdisrespect

On this International Women's Day it's important to be aware of the challenges and solutions when it comes to women's empowerment. GEWO TV highlights what needs attention and the solutions toward counting women in and places an emphasis on shaping the future. Equality and parity is possible. https://lnkd.in/g_4vxaSg

In a world where men have dominated the narrative of history, relegating women to roles as providers rather than operators, complements rather than executors, and extras rather than icons. However, due to centuries of oppression, women symbolize resilience, perseverance, and courage. They have survived rejection and neglect, and despite the tremendous obstacles they have faced, they have thrived: nurturing communities, they have created societies. If it wasn't yesterday, it is now the urgent moment to reclaim that legitimacy. We are the generation tasked with closing the gender gap, advocating for justice, security, equal treatment, and fair and equal conditions. Please, let's fight for a more equitable future. #March8 #March82024 https://lnkd.in/eJApndZB

On #WorldTelevisionDay, we celebrate TV's ability to shape societies, break barriers, and promote diversity. Diverse representation isn’t just about fairness—it builds trust. In fact, 69% of NGOs use diverse representation to connect with their audiences. When people see themselves in the media, it creates deeper connections and authenticity. A more diverse media industry means more inclusive stories, characters, and voices that reflect the rich tapestry of cultures, languages, and perspectives around the world. Let’s keep pushing for a media landscape as diverse as the audiences watching it. 👉 Discover how we’re amplifying underrepresented voices: makmendemedia.com