Lack of diversity is a moral failure for public relations practice

One Step Forward Two Black reports that the UK public relations industry has made limited progress in addressing diversity.

Progress for black practitioners working in communications and public relations in the UK has been limited since 2020 according to a report published by the UK Black Comms Network.

The third longitudinal report - One Step Forward Two Black - tells the story of cultural issues, discrimination and barriers to progression.

Almost half of practitioners have not received a promotion in their previous position and only one in ten feel they are likely to become the most senior communications professional in their company.

Workplace culture remains hostile for many black practitioners with 82% reporting microaggressions and two-thirds reporting the need to "tone down" their personalities to fit in.

The result is that two-thirds (68%) of black practitioners have considered leaving the industry due to a lack of progression, representation and unaddressed microaggressions.

Public relations practice should be an exemplar of a progressive industry. The management science supporting diversity in corporate communications and public relations teams was established in the 1990s.

That it remains an issue more than 30 years later isn’t a question of poor business practice. Lee Edwards, Professor of Strategic Communications and Public Engagement at the London School of Economics, says it’s an ethical and moral question.

This isn’t a black problem. It’s an industry problem.

The UK Black Comms Network report calls for a collective effort from industry leaders, stakeholders and managers to create a more equitable and inclusive environment.

Public statements are often not backed up by action. According to Khalid Agyemang, a UK Black Comms Network member, there is a misalignment between what is said and what is done.

Diversity and inclusivity training should be mandatory for everyone working in the industry. The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) has established a good model with mandatory ethics training for practitioners who complete annual continuous professional development.

The UK Black Comms Network says that change must start at the top. Diversity in leadership teams and board members is important to improve senior-level representation.

Sarah Waddington CBE CDir ChartPR has long argued that organisations should publish diversity data as part of their annual reporting to Companies House.

The One Step Forward Two Black survey collected responses from 170 black or mixed-black heritage practitioners working in corporate communications and public relations in the UK.

Reference

“One Step Forward Two Black.” 2024. UK Black Comms Network.