FinancialModern Times Group
Corporate Responsibility Report 2016
1 Jan 201648 pages~110 min full read
MTG generated SEK 17.3 billion in net sales and SEK 1.35 billion in operating income in 2016, supported by a workforce of approximately 3,800 employees.
The company achieved a 7% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and is targeting a 20% reduction in total energy use by 2020.
Governance initiatives resulted in a zero-case record for confirmed corruption and the training of over 90% of senior managers on data protection to prepare for GDPR compliance.
Materiality analysis involving over 400 stakeholders identified content quality as the primary issue, while locally produced content accounted for 13% of the portfolio.
MTG earned inclusion in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and RobecoSAM’s Sustainability Yearbook, aligning its strategy with UN Global Compact goals, specifically SDG 5 on gender equality.
Social and community investments saw a significant decline, with media-time donations falling 55%, cash contributions dropping to KSEK 1,217, and volunteer hours decreasing to 374.
External assurance by Ethos International confirmed data accuracy but recommended improved HR data management and better integration of CSR into the company's acquisition strategy.
The 2016 corporate responsibility effort positions MTG’s transformation around four pillars—media responsibility, social impact, business ethics and environmental care—grounded in a materiality analysis that consulted more than 400 internal and external stakeholders and identified content quality as the top issue. The strategy aligns with the UN Global Compact, particularly SDG 5 on gender equality, and sets measurable targets such as a 20 % reduction in energy use by 2020.
During the year MTG generated SEK 17.3 billion in net sales and SEK 1.35 billion in operating income while employing roughly 3,800 staff. The company secured inclusion in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and RobecoSAM’s Sustainability Yearbook, and reported a 7 % decline in total greenhouse‑gas emissions, supporting its environmental ambition. A 20 % energy‑use cut is pursued alongside a modest 13 % share of locally produced content.
Social initiatives emphasized gender diversity through a fourth Women in Tech event, a “Women Up” leadership program for 30 high‑potential women, and internal role‑model promotion. Community programmes reached children in Bulgaria, Estonia and Latvia, covering obesity prevention, science outreach, adaptive sports, robotics and animal care. Governance was reinforced by a zero‑case record of confirmed corruption, a fully independent six‑member board, and a comprehensive data‑protection rollout that trained over 90 % of senior managers and prepared the organization for GDPR compliance.
Corporate‑giving fell sharply, with media‑time donations down 55 % and cash contributions reduced to KSEK 1 217, while volunteer hours dropped to 374. Assurance by Ethos International confirmed overall data accuracy, noting minor calculation errors and recommending stronger HR data management and deeper integration of CSR into acquisition strategy. The scope covers all fully controlled MTG operations, subsidiaries, leased facilities and the 50 %‑owned GES Media Holding, excluding pay‑TV channels on third‑party platforms and markets no longer served, such as Ghana, Hungary, Russia, Tanzania and Ukraine.
