Corporate Responsibility

We strive to act responsibly and entrepreneurially – in our business environment, with our employees, in society and toward the environment. This is an integral part of Bertelsmann’s corporate culture.

Bertelsmann continuously pursues the strategic development of its corporate responsibility (CR). This includes Group-wide objectives, cross-divisional coordination, collaboration and transparency of non-financial information. The Bertelsmann Corporate Responsibility Council, chaired by the Chief Human Resources Officer, regularly brings together senior representatives from various operating divisions. Together, they work to advance the strategic development of CR at Bertelsmann. At the Group level, the Corporate Responsibility & Diversity Management department, a central staff function of the HR executive portfolio, coordinates and supports the work of the CR Council. At Bertelsmann, the divisions and companies implement CR projects and measures decentrally.



Integrity & Compliance

Bertelsmann has established an extensive Integrity & Compliance program. The fundamental document is the Bertelsmann Code of Conduct, which builds on the Bertelsmann Essentials and lays down the obligations of ethical and legal behavior for all employees. Further guidelines were issued on key topics such as anti-corruption, antitrust legislation, external transactions and compliance by business partners. Employees are comprehensively trained and advised. Compliance violations are not tolerated. Suspected infringements are promptly investigated, and any infringements are immediately remedied. The effectiveness of the program is ensured through regular evaluation and risk-oriented adjustments.

Further information on corporate responsibility at Bertelsmann and the annual Corporate Responsibility Report can be found online at: www.bertelsmann.com/responsibility 

30 Years of Télévie


Télévie Gala in Brussels.

Télévie is a charity event in the French-speaking part of Belgium and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg that has been organized by the Belgian television channel RTL TVI since 1989. In the 30th anniversary year of 2018, Télévie raised a record sum of more than €12 million for cancer research. Since 2002, RTL Télé Lëtzebuerg has also taken part in the campaign and organizes a grand final evening in the Grand Duchy, which takes place at the same time as the TV Gala on RTL TVI.

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Télévie Gala in Brussels.

Groupe M6 Launches Sign Language News Show


Sophie Scheidt and Olivier Calcada, the hosts of “Le 10 Minutes.”

Groupe M6 launched “Le 10 Minutes,” the first French news show that is entirely broadcast in sign language, on 6play. Subtitles also enable people who don’t “speak” sign language to follow the magazine show. The aim is to inform people who are deaf or hearing-impaired, while at the same time building awareness among others for deaf culture and sign language.

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Sophie Scheidt and Olivier Calcada, the hosts of “Le 10 Minutes.”

Penguin Random House Ranked Number One by Forbes


Employees of Penguin Random House U.S.

Penguin Random House U.S. placed number one on the “Forbes” independent survey list of “America’s Best Midsize Employers 2018.” The ranking is based on a survey of 30,000 employees of US companies with more than 1,000 employees. In addition, Penguin Random House was the highest-rated media company on the “Forbes” list of “Best Employers for Women” and placed on the “Best Employers for Diversity” list.

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Employees of Penguin Random House U.S.

Penguin Random House India a “Green” Printer


Penguin Random House India is blazing the trail for environmental protection by becoming the first Indian publisher to have all of its monochrome books printed on Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) paper. This ensures that the paper used for printing comes from sustainably managed forests. The move underlined the importance Penguin Random House places on environmental matters in its supply chain.

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70 Years of “Stern”


G+J CEO Julia Jäkel in conversation with “Stern” author David Baum.

How do we explain what good journalism means? This question was the focus of “Journalism Day,” which marked the 70th anniversary of “Stern” magazine. Some 1,000 visitors came to G+J’s Pressehaus in Hamburg to gain insights into the day-to-day business and work of the magazine’s makers. In addition to discussion rounds and lectures, there were guided tours through the editorial offices, where around 100 “Stern” staff provided insights into their work and answered visitors’ questions.

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G+J CEO Julia Jäkel in conversation with “Stern” author David Baum.

Great Response to Udacity Data Science Scholarship Program


The Udacity Data Science Scholarship Program is part of a comprehensive continuing education initiative by Google, Bertelsmann and Udacity to train IT experts. The innovative offer has met with a great response – more than 32,000 interested talents from around 170 countries applied for one of the 15,000 scholarships. The initiative to promote necessary digital skills for the future was recognized by the European Commission in Brussels with a European Digital Skills Award in December 2017.

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Fundamental Information about the Group Report on Economic Position Combined Non-Financial Statement Outlook
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Annual Report 2018