Report on a Digital Information Access Initiative and its Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1.0 Executive Summary

This report details a digital information access initiative providing comprehensive global news and analysis. The initiative’s structure and features are analyzed in the context of their alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting its potential to support global progress in education, economic growth, institutional strength, and sustainable practices.

2.0 Initiative Overview and Subscription Model

The service is structured as a digital subscription with the following terms:

• Trial Period: An introductory offer of $1 for the initial four weeks.
• Standard Subscription: Following the trial, the service is available at a rate of $75 per month.
• Access Level: The subscription provides complete digital access to all journalistic content.
• Cancellation Policy: Subscribers can cancel their service at any time during the trial period.

3.0 Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The features included in the digital access initiative demonstrate strong alignment with several key SDGs:

1. SDG 4: Quality Education: Access to expert opinion, in-depth analysis, curated newsletters, and multimedia content like videos and podcasts provides significant resources for lifelong learning and informed citizenship.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The provision of flagship investment columns (e.g., Lex) and global financial news equips professionals and policymakers with critical information to foster sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: By delivering content through multiple digital platforms, including dedicated mobile applications (FT App, FT Edit app), the initiative promotes access to information and communications technology, a key target of this goal.
4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: The availability of a “Digital Edition,” a digitized version of the print newspaper, encourages a shift away from paper consumption, contributing to more sustainable consumption patterns.
5. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: Unfettered access to global news and analysis promotes transparency, accountability, and the development of informed societies, which are fundamental to building effective and inclusive institutions.
6. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The feature allowing subscribers to share a number of gift articles per month facilitates the dissemination of knowledge and strengthens global partnerships by making vital information accessible to a wider audience.

4.0 Comprehensive List of Included Services

The digital access package includes the following components, which collectively support the SDGs outlined above:

• Global news & analysis
• Expert opinion
• FT App on Android & iOS
• FT Edit app
• FirstFT daily briefing
• Over 20 curated newsletters
• Personalized topic tracking and alerts with myFT
• FT Videos & Podcasts
• 20 monthly gift articles to share
• Lex: FT’s flagship investment column
• Over 15 Premium newsletters by leading experts
• FT Digital Edition: the digitized print edition

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

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

The provided article, which is a subscription offer for the Financial Times, connects to several Sustainable Development Goals primarily through its focus on providing access to information, news, and analysis via digital platforms.

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  The article promotes access to “quality FT journalism,” “Global news & analysis,” and “Expert opinion.” This aligns with the goal of ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all, as informed citizenship is a key component of lifelong learning.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  The offer emphasizes digital access through various technologies, such as the “FT App on Android & iOS,” “FT Videos & Podcasts,” and the “FT Digital Edition.” This relates to building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation, particularly in the context of information and communications technology (ICT).

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  A free press and public access to information are fundamental to building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions. By offering “complete digital access” to news and analysis, the service contributes to creating a more informed public, which is a cornerstone of strong institutions and peaceful societies.

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

Based on the services and products described in the article, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 4.7 (under SDG 4)

   “By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles… and global citizenship…”

   The article’s emphasis on providing “Global news & analysis” and “Expert opinion” directly supports this target by equipping individuals with the knowledge necessary to understand complex global issues and act as informed global citizens.

2. Target 9.c (under SDG 9)

   “Significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the Internet in least developed countries.”

   While the service is not free, it represents the type of information access enabled by modern ICT. The article explicitly mentions services like the “FT App on Android & iOS” and “FT Videos & Podcasts,” which are delivered via digital infrastructure, thus relating to the goal of increasing access to ICT.

3. Target 16.10 (under SDG 16)

   “Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements.”

   This is the most directly relevant target. The entire premise of the offer is to provide “complete digital access to quality FT journalism.” This service is a mechanism for ensuring public access to information, which is a fundamental freedom and essential for transparency and accountability.

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

The article, being a commercial offer, does not list official SDG indicators. However, it contains specific features and metrics that can be interpreted as proxy indicators for progress towards the identified targets:

• Indicator for Target 4.7:

  An implied indicator is the availability and diversity of educational and informational content. The article lists several specific types of content that contribute to knowledge acquisition, such as “Lex: FT’s flagship investment column,” “15+ Premium newsletters by leading experts,” and “Expert opinion.”

• Indicator for Target 9.c:

  An implied indicator is the number and variety of digital platforms offered for information access. The article quantifies this by mentioning the “FT App on Android & iOS,” the “FT Edit app,” and “FT Videos & Podcasts,” demonstrating a multi-platform approach to digital information delivery.

• Indicator for Target 16.10:

  A specific, quantifiable indicator mentioned in the article is the number of articles that can be shared with non-subscribers. The feature allowing “20 monthly gift articles to share” is a direct measure of how access to information is extended beyond the primary customer, contributing to broader public access.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: ft.com