ESG strategy

Ekspress Grupp is the leading media group in the Baltic countries and therefore plays an important role in the development of the society. The Group’s media publications significantly shape the public information space in all its three home markets, i.e. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. As an employer of a considerable size, the Group has an obligation to manage all Group enterprises in an ethical and responsible manner, and to create independent, professional and reliable media content. Our operations are based on the group-wide ESG (environmental-social-governance) strategy created in 2022.

As a Group, Ekspress Grupp is dedicated to ensuring that all Group companies have a positive impact on people and the environment, contributing to the fulfilment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

We are actively seeking opportunities to create a positive impact on the society through the core activities of Group companies. We are adhering to the international principles of responsible enterprise to ensure that our operations and business strategy do not infringe the rights or wellbeing of any stakeholder groups. In addition, we wish to reduce the impact of the Group’s operations on the environment and to make our contribution to achieving the goal of alleviating the climate change according to the Paris agreement.

The ESG strategy determines important sustainability topics for Ekspress Grupp, establishes the group's main sustainability-related activities and goals.

Leading ethical and responsible media group

• we are an independent and influential media group
• we are a responsible advertising platform
• we ensure the subscribers’ rights and wellbeing

Responsible and attractive employer

• we ensure the personal and professional development of employees
• we contribute to the employees' wellbeing
• we ensure equal treatment, we value diversity and engagement

Responsibly and sustainably managed company

• we manage companies honestly and responsibly
• we reduce of environmental impact
• we ensure a sustainable supply chain

Public impact, role and responsibility

As a leading media group, Ekspress Grupp is well aware of its role in the economic and social development of all its home markets. Group companies have undeniably the biggest impact and possibility to contribute to the society and democracy through their core activities – by creating media content and offering modern digital solutions and services. To ensure that our positive contribution has as great an impact as possible, we conduct our activities in all media segments according to principles of corporate responsibility and sector standards.

Independent and influential media group

The role and responsibility of media is to bring relevant and challenging themes to the public. Coverage of social challenges turns attention to important processes that need to be changed so that they can be positively influenced thereafter.

With its ESG strategy, Ekspress Grupp assumes a Group-wide role and accountability for creating real changes to support sustainable development, especially UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Our promise

Our goal is to be a leading supporter of the freedom of speech in the Baltics and to foster the society by providing access to fact-based and quality information. We wish to increase our contribution to the development of the media sector in order to preserve and promote the high level of press freedom in the Baltics. We take responsibility to promote sustainable development. We use our talent and resources in order to consistently and systematically inform the public of significant sustainability issues.

Targets

None of the articles in Ekspress Grupp’s media publications contradicts the national code of ethics.

None of the articles in Ekspress Grupp’s media publications contradicts Ekspress Grupp’s code of ethics.

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Article that breach journalism standards in the media publications of Ekspress Grupp

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Our approach to
responsible journalism

Press ethics starts with independence

Journalism needs to be independent and free. The work of journalists and periodicals should not be influenced by business interests, political links, personal relations or gains, bribes or any other benefits. The principles of balanced journalism are followed in all Group companies. Various parties are allowed to express themselves equally and can present counterarguments and, if necessary, corrections. The sources of presented information are always verified. Each journalist is responsible for source and confidentiality protection. In case of sensitive topics, the line of ethics should be perceived.

Standing up for credibility and freedom of expression

The continued and increasingly sharp polarization of the public increases the pressure on media houses to create and present reliable and quality journalistic content in a timely manner.

Comment control by human moderation

Comments are an important part of online publications as they enable the readers to express their views on topics that are important to them. Ekspress Grupp's media publications promote comments by users who are registered and logged in. Inappropriate comments are removed by both human moderators and a machine-learning moderating system.

With the war in Ukraine, new challenges emerged in creating responsible content. The common position of all Ekspress Grupp companies is that Russia is an aggressor state. There were no concessions made on this position, but it was extremely important to find a way to reflect the actions of Russia as an aggressor state without placing the blame on the Russians living in the Baltics.

Major topics in 2022

How we transformed the society through raising important topics

Suspicious cost reimbursements in the parliament

Õhtuleht exposed that Martin Repinski, MP for the Centre Party, lets the parliament to compensate the rent of an apartment where he does not stay. Õhtuleht also published cost reimbursements of Kert Kingo, an MP of EKRE and former government minister. It seems that she let the state to pay for the legal fees of third parties.

Estonian payday loan companies and their questionable behaviour

On the initiative of Delfi Meedia’s investigative journalism department we raised the issue of Estonian payday loan companies and their questionable behaviour regarding borrowers who are at risk of losing their homes or other assets. The topic helped to speed up the adoption of a legislative amendment in the parliament and the parliamentary legal committee invited our journalists to a meeting to speak and share their insights on the problem.

Raising the importance of mental health on the political level

One issue that Delfi Meedia’s magazines are focusing on is the mental health of Estonians. We have educated readers on how to detect and handle mental health problems and how others can support people who are affected by it. We have shared specialists’ comments and advice and, more importantly, raised the issue of mental health also on the political level.

Bypassing sanctions

Delfi Meedia’s investigative journalism discovered after the start of the war that Estonia continued to supply certain oil products to Belarus. After we published our article these oil products were sanctioned both in Estonia and later all over the EU.

Secret trick to lower the interest rate on an existing home loan

Geenius Meedia article "Secret trick to lower the interest rate on an existing home loan: just ask the bank" sent borrowers to banks to negotiate lower interest rates.

The Latvian sports community keeps friendly relations with Russia

The Latvian sports community keeps friendly relations with Russia. Delfi Latvia published a story on the Latvian ice hockey coach who continued to coach a KHL ice hockey club and played in Russia also after February 24. After the Latvian Ice hockey Federation was asked for a comment, the federation terminated the coach’s license.

The mayor of Latvia’s second-largest town could become a serious security threat

Delfi Latvia and other larger public periodicals wrote about an investigation conducted by Latvian security services according to which the mayor of Daugavpils, Latvia’s second-largest town, is spreading pro-Kremlin fake information and could become a serious security threat.

Journalists who report war news from Ukraine are risking their lives

Delfi Lithuania in 2022 published a documentary Delfi at War which described how journalists who report war news from Ukraine are risking their lives while remaining in the background themselves.

Coverage of sustainable development

In 2020, Eesti Päevaleht was the first media outlet in Estonia to launch a climate section in 2020. In 2021, it was expanded into a more general green portal (roheportaal.delfi.ee). By now Ekspress Grupp has launched portals dedicated to environmental issues in Eesti Päevaleht, Geenius Meedia (roh.geenius.ee) and Delfi Lithuania (delfi.lt/grynas/).

In 2023, the editorial team of Delfi Latvia plans to launch a new section to cover all aspects of sustainability.

Delfi Lithuania has created a separate sustainability content platform Sustainable Lithuania (Tvari Lietuva), the objective of which is to promote the public debate on sustainability and to make the sustainability issue more visible in the media. Tvari Lietuva publishes investigative articles on sustainability in Lithuania and elsewhere in the world, hosts a talkshow in Delfi TV and radio program „Ziniu radijas“, participates in and organises public events and debates on this issue.

It is clear that environmental awareness is growing in Europe and also in Lithuania. There is more information available on the climate crisis, loss of biodiversity, pollution and different social problems. Therefore, the public is also more interested in having in-depth knowledge about these issues. At the same time sustainability remains a sensitive issue that some people still prefer to avoid. In this situation it is important to come up with innovative ways on how to talk about sustainability. Tvari Lietuva is the way of Delfi Lithuania to increase interest in sustainability.

- Vytautas Benokraitis, CEO of Delfi Lithuania

In addition to the green portal of Eesti Päevaleht, other media platforms of Delfi Meedia have developed more extensive social themes which have been in the focus of the largest brands for several years.

reduction of traffic deaths

reduction of home violence

mental health

appreciation of rural life

Mental health issues have become much more visible and prominent and Delfi Meedia has contributed to their coverage.

- Argo Virkebau, Chairman of the Management Board of Delfi Meedia

Sustainability-related events and cooperation projects on sustainability

Ekspress Grupp has expanded its business to event management and is also focusing on sustainability issues since we wish to be a spokesperson on the issue of sustainability.

In October 2022, Delfi Meedia organised green conference “NOW and Ten Years from Now” that strived to answer the question what we need to do today to ensure that future generations have a life worth living, and what is the world around us ten years from now.

In October 2022, Delfi Lithuania organised a conference on sustainability for businesses. In the two-day conference, Lithuanian and foreign experts shared their experience and knowledge on the comprehensive management of ESG, including measuring of environmental impact and setting reduction targets. Key debates were also webcast in Estonia and Latvia.

For promoting sustainability, Delfi Lithuania cooperates with exhibition centre LITEXPO in order to cover the sustainability issue in every exhibition. Sustainable Lithuania (Tvari Lietuva) is also media partner for many sustainable development initiatives in Lithuania (e.g. Zero Waste Festival, Fairtrade Month, National Walking Initiative).

We plan to organise sustainability-related events also in the future and do it more regularly. In 2023, we will cooperate with Impact Day, the largest festival in Baltics in terms of impact and sustainability, whose media partner Delfi Meedia was also in 2022.

- Argo Virkebau, Chairman of the Management Board of Delfi Meedia

Responsible advertising platform

As a media group, our activities are not limited to journalistic content. Advertising sales on our media platforms and on digital outdoor displays play a significant part in our commercial success. Therefore, we also have a responsibility to ensure that the marketing messages we deliver are aligned with our own values, and national and international marketing regulations.

Our promise

Our goal is to be recognised and trusted by our customers and readers as an ethical and responsible advertising platform. We want to take a leading role in the Baltics in promoting the principles of responsible advertising in the media sector.

Targets

Zero cases where advertising or content marketing displayed on our platforms breaches our internal rules.

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Violations of content marketing rules

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Our approach to responsible advertising

Content marketing

The Group is convinced that the journalistic content must not be influenced by the interest of advertising clients, content marketing or the organisation of the group's own commercial events. The Group's periodicals have drawn a clear line between advertising and editorial work, content marketing and other content shown for a fee must be recognizable and labelled accordingly.

Advertising sales

All companies of the Ekspress Group adhere to the obligations and restrictions arising from the law in advertising sales.

For Ekspress Grupp, responsible data use in advertising sales is part of our responsibility to our customers, as well as a business opportunity to stand out as a reliable, ethical and transparent advertising platform.

Digital outdoor advertising

For Ekspress Grupp's digital outdoor advertising companies, part of their social responsibility is related to light pollution from advertising screens, which can affect both city residents and road users. Companies take into account the requirements arising from the law and the agreements of good practice of outdoor advertising.

Responsibility in targeted advertising is a huge trend that is starting to differentiate market players.

- Argo Virkebau, Chairman of the Management Board of Delfi Meedia

Development of the society and the sector

Development of the media sector and media competence

As a leading media group, Ekspress Grupp has assumed the role of the voice of the media sector with a view of contributing to the development of the sector. We actively support the development of media competence and fact-based knowledge.

Media publications of the Group are active partners of educational establishments in all three countries: Tartu University and Tallinn University in Estonia, Vilnius University in Lithuania and Latvian University, Stockholm School of Economics, Riga Stradin University and Vidzeme University in Latvia. The goal of this partnership is first and foremost to improve the awareness of young people about career choices and possibilities in journalism.

Ekspress Grupp's wider social contribution

Ekspress Grupp contributes extensively to the development of society through various cooperation projects. In 2022, the following projects deserve to be highlighted:

Publishing house Hea Lugu announced a competition of historical novels as fascinating stories and characters put life in important historical events, phenomena and persons.

Delfi Latvia implemented a large project related to the parliamentary elections, which included debates, special projects and for the first time product development cooperation with local designers.

For the fifth year, in December, Delfi Latvia collected donations for families who have to take care of their sick loved ones on a daily basis with the "Strength and Strong People" charity donation campaign. This year, the campaign drew attention to a time when a family member in need of care becomes an adult. This is a time when state support for the family is significantly reduced, but the sick family member still needs support and care. 52,000 euros were raised in the 2022 campaign.

Since 2013, the editorial department of Lithuanian Delfi has been handing out Delfi Titan awards to outstanding people who break stereotypes with their example and draw attention to important public phenomena and events. In 2022, 7 people received recognition, among others the President of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus.

Delfi organized the concert of Kalush Orchestra, winner of 2022 Eurovision Song Contest, in Vilnius for more than 5,000 people. Half of the ticket revenue (40,000 euros) was donated to the "I am Ukraine" charity fund.

The three-day investment conference "My investment" brought together both beginners and experienced investors. In total, 9 discussion panels were held, 19 hours were broadcast, 50 speakers took the stage, and the conference broadcasts have been viewed more than 300,000 times.