ISS ESG InFocus: Media & Telecommunications

Each month ISS ESG’s team of specialist analysts releases an update on the ESG risks associated with a specific industry sector. The InFocus reports focus on the ISS ESG Corporate Rating for companies within each sector, and also provides headline results from other ISS ESG product lines. This month, the InFocus is on: Media & Telecommunications

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Media and Telecommunications companies have a relatively low environmental impact but lack credible approaches to addressing social challenges. Despite the comparatively low sustainability-related risk exposure of the Media and Telecommunications industries, they demonstrate relatively poor ESG performance.

• The rise of disinformation creates reputational risks for Media companies – investors are encouraged to assess commitments to editorial responsibility.
• The shift from traditional to digital media creates both environmental opportunities and risks. In 2020, the number of video streaming subscriptions rose by 26% from the prior year. Continued energy efficiency gains will be necessary to limit the environmental impact of this trend in media consumption.  
• The occurrence of corruption and human and labor rights controversies in the Media and Telecommunications industries reveal its exposure to potentially deceptive and fraudulent practices, as well as failures to respect the right to just working conditions and to ensure ethical business conduct.
• The bulk of companies in the Media and Telecommunications industries offer a limited positive impact on the UN-backed Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), primarily in the areas of delivering education and providing basic services. Media companies may also play a non-negligible role in raising awareness of environmental issues.
• Approximately 12% of companies in the Media and Telecommunications industries achieve the ISS ESG Prime rating, slightly lower than the percentage of Prime-rated companies in the broader ISS ESG Ratings universe.

Explore ISS ESG solutions mentioned in this report:

• Identify ESG risks and seize investment opportunities with the ISS ESG Corporate Rating.
• Use ISS ESG Climate Solutions to help you gain a better understanding of your exposure to climate-related risks and use the insights to safeguard your investment portfolios.
• Assess companies’ adherence to international norms on human rights, labor standards, environmental protection and anti-corruption using ISS ESG Norm-Based Research.
• Understand the impacts of your investments and how they support the UN Sustainable Development Goals with the ISS ESG SDG Solutions Assessment and SDG Impact Rating.
• Understand the F in ESGF using the ISS EVA solution.
• Use ISS ESG Sector-Based Screening to assess companies’ involvement in a wide range of products and services such as alcohol, animal welfare, cannabis, for-profit correctional facilities, gambling, pornography, tobacco and more.