Society

With this approach, ProSiebenSat.1 raises public awareness of socially relevant issues in the entertainment shows in its program, with its own formats, issue films, and campaigns, and generates public value. Public value is generally understood to refer to the value and benefits that an organization brings to society. In the program principles of the German Interstate Media Agreement, it is already stipulated that private-sector broadcasters should express the diversity of opinions in their content and allow important political, ideological, and social players to have a say in an appropriate way. The German state media authorities also adopted a charter on public value in fall 2021, which states that media offerings will be easier to find if they are particularly relevant to the shaping of public opinion. 

To ensure journalistic independence and comply with fundamental media regulations, the Group formulated guidelines which are binding for all of the Company’s program makers in Germany. The “Guidelines for Ensuring Journalistic Independence” specify the understanding of the journalistic principles set forth in the Press Code of the German Press Council. In accordance with internal guidelines, journalists and editors working for ProSiebenSat.1 Group must follow the International Federation of Journalists’ Principles on the Conduct of Journalists. According to these principles, they are essentially free to report as they see fit independently of social, economic or political interest groups. As a media company, political independence is of the utmost importance to us. Cash and non-cash donations to political parties are therefore forbidden unless the donation is approved by the Executive Board of ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE in advance. Generally, editorial content must not be influenced by private or commercial interests of third parties or by personal or economic interests of employees. At the same time, the journalists and editors are aware of their responsibility with regard to the dissemination of information and their contribution to shaping opinions.

ProSiebenSat.1 Group also supports employees who want to get involved in social and voluntary work. As part of our corporate volunteering offers, for example, we sponsor the startsocial competition, which we co-founded in 2001. This involves around 500 nationwide experts from business, the public sector and social institutions supporting volunteer projects with a various focuses, such as migration, social justice or education, in their practical implementation. In a four-month coaching phase, a total of 100 selected initiatives receive expert advice, personal contacts and detailed feedback to further develop atheir ideas and put them into practice. ProSiebenSat.1 employees are involved here as jurors and coaches and contribute their expertise in various areas.