Can anything halt the decline of German industry? – Financial Times

Report on Media’s Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

This report analyzes the strategic alignment of a premier global news organization’s digital access model with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The provision of comprehensive, high-quality journalism serves as a critical tool for fostering informed global citizenship, which is fundamental to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The digital platform’s features directly and indirectly support numerous SDGs by enhancing education, promoting justice, fostering innovation, and encouraging responsible economic growth.

Alignment of Digital Journalism Features with Specific SDGs

1. Informing Global Discourse and Promoting Strong Institutions

   • Global News & Analysis: Directly supports SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) by providing transparent reporting on governance, conflict, and policy, thereby holding institutions accountable and informing the public.
   • Expert Opinion & Lex Investment Column: Contributes to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by offering critical analysis of economic trends, corporate governance, and sustainable finance.

2. Enhancing Education and Reducing Inequalities

   • Curated Newsletters & FT Edit App: Advances SDG 4 (Quality Education) by delivering specialized knowledge and curated content, making complex topics accessible to a wider audience.
   • Multi-platform Access (Android, iOS, Web): Addresses SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by leveraging digital infrastructure to ensure broad access to critical information, regardless of geographic location.
   • Gift Articles Feature: Promotes SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by enabling the dissemination of knowledge beyond the subscriber base, fostering collaboration and shared understanding.

3. Fostering Sustainable Practices and Citizen Engagement

   • FT Digital Edition: Aligns with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by offering a digitized version of the print edition, reducing paper consumption and the associated environmental footprint.
   • Personalized Alerts (myFT): Empowers individuals to engage with specific goals, such as SDG 13 (Climate Action) or SDG 5 (Gender Equality), by tracking relevant topics and developments.
   • Videos & Podcasts: Supports multiple goals, including SDG 5 and SDG 10, by presenting diverse voices and perspectives, thereby enriching public debate on critical sustainability issues.

Conclusion

The digital offerings of a leading journalistic institution are intrinsically linked to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals. By providing reliable information, fostering education, and enabling global dialogue, such platforms are indispensable partners in building a more sustainable, equitable, and prosperous future for all. The model demonstrates that a commitment to quality journalism is also a commitment to global sustainable development.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   The article, which is a subscription offer for the Financial Times (FT), is primarily connected to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by virtue of its role in disseminating information and knowledge:

   • SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The core function of a news organization like the FT is to provide public access to information, which is fundamental for promoting transparency, accountability, and well-informed societies—key components of strong institutions.
   • SDG 4: Quality Education: The FT serves as a resource for continuous learning. The “Global news & analysis” and “Expert opinion” it provides contribute to lifelong learning opportunities and help individuals acquire knowledge on global issues, including sustainable development and global citizenship.
   • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: By providing in-depth financial news, investment analysis, and economic data, the FT equips professionals, investors, and policymakers with information that can foster innovation, inform economic strategy, and drive economic productivity.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   Based on the services offered in the article, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

   • Target 16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms. The entire article is an offer for a service that provides “Global news & analysis” and “Expert opinion.” This directly aligns with the goal of ensuring the public has access to reliable information, which is a cornerstone of a free and democratic society.
   • Target 4.7: Ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development. The FT’s content, including “20+ curated newsletters” and the ability to “Follow topics & set alerts with myFT,” allows users to educate themselves on complex global topics, including those related to sustainable development, thereby contributing to this educational target.
   • Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation. The article highlights access to “Lex: FT’s flagship investment column” and “15+ Premium newsletters by leading experts.” This specialized financial and business information supports informed decision-making that can lead to innovation and increased economic productivity.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   The article does not contain explicit statistical data, but it implies several qualitative and quantitative indicators that could be used to measure progress:

   • For Target 16.10: An implied indicator is the reach and accessibility of information. The article mentions features that broaden access, such as the “FT App on Android & iOS” for digital access and the ability to share “20 monthly gift articles,” which can be seen as a mechanism to extend the reach of quality journalism beyond paid subscribers. The number of active subscriptions could serve as a direct metric for this.
   • For Target 4.7: A potential indicator is the volume and focus of content related to sustainable development and global citizenship. The feature to “Follow topics & set alerts with myFT” implies that the platform’s content is categorized, allowing for the measurement of how much material is produced on SDG-related topics. The existence of “20+ curated newsletters” suggests that specialized content streams on these subjects could be tracked.
   • For Target 8.2: An implied indicator is the provision of specialized economic and financial analysis. The specific mention of “Lex: FT’s flagship investment column” and “Premium newsletters by leading experts” serves as a qualitative indicator that high-level information necessary for driving economic innovation and productivity is being produced and disseminated. The number of articles or reports focusing on investment, innovation, and economic policy could be a quantifiable measure.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators (Implied from the article)
   SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions	16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms.	Availability of digital access through the “FT App on Android & iOS.” Number of “monthly gift articles” shared to broaden information access. Number of active subscriptions to the information service.
   SDG 4: Quality Education	4.7: Ensure all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development.	Volume of content on sustainable development topics, trackable via “myFT.” Number and variety of “curated newsletters” on global and educational topics.
   SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth	8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through innovation.	Provision of specialized financial analysis through “Lex: FT’s flagship investment column.” Dissemination of expert knowledge via “Premium newsletters.”

Source: ft.com