2
54
Annual Report -
2013
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Vivendi
Societal
, Social and Environmental Information
Key Messages
Section 2
Societal Information
2.1.
Key Messages
2.1.1.
Relevant CSR Sector Issues
Vivendi is one of the rare multimedia groups that holds a leading
position along the entire value chain of the content business. Therefore
as early as 2003, CSR strategic issues were defined and directly related
to this essential feature of the Group. The relevance of these issues
is now greater than ever, since Vivendi plans to focus its business
activities on becoming a “media champion” – in essence European and
with a global reach.
The relevance and materiality of the CSR information provided to the
Company’s stakeholders has now become a requirement formulated
on several occasions in 2013, in particular by the EU Commission and
the EU Parliament, by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) in the new
version (G4) of its guidelines, as well as by the International Integrated
Reporting Council (IIRC).
Media sector challenges stand out because of their unique
characteristics, and are taken into account by the companies concerned,
by the market and by civil society. In light of this, following the
consultation process started in 2011 by the Global Reporting Initiative
in relation to the Media Sector Supplement (drafted in 2009 by twelve
companies, where Vivendi was the only French company), several
French public and private media companies established a working group
that has become the Media CSR Forum in France, similar to the forums
already existing in the Nordic countries and in the United Kingdom.
Vivendi became deeply involved in the different events held by
this Forum throughout the year, and contributed to the creation of a
handbook entitled “CSR in the media sector”, which was published
in collaboration with the French Study Center for Corporate Social
Responsibility (ORSE), of which Vivendi is one of the founding members.
This handbook gives the status of CSR at national, European and
international levels and then identifies issues in the media sector, of
which economic weight and societal role are at the forefront. Lastly,
the handbook provides seven factsheets which are to be updated and
filled in regularly.
2.1.2.
Personal Data at the Heart of the Group’s Digital Environment
Vivendi is shifting the focus of its activities to media and content,
with an emphasis on the growth opportunities offered by the digital
technologies. This strategic choice must be backed by a rigorous policy
in the area of personal data collection and management, safeguarding
the respect of customers’ privacy. Vivendi has implemented tools such
as the Data and Content Protection Charter, adopted in 2008, and the
Guide on good practices regarding protection of sensitive data. Vivendi
is careful to ensure that its partners respect the Group’s values and rules
of conduct in the countries in which it operates.
Working together with the Legal department and CSR department, the
Audit department has introduced a CSR component into the reference
framework of internal control process - the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) - which covers, in
particular, the practices implemented in this area by its subsidiaries.
Special attention is given to young audiences, who are keen users of
online music, film and video offerings. This prompted the CSR and legal
departments of the subsidiaries and of Vivendi headquarters to hold
a CSR Committee meeting on the topic of “Young web-users and the
digital lifestyle: the issue of personal data”. The meeting was attended
by representatives of the Council of Europe, French Defender of Children
Rights and the French Data Protection Authority (CNIL). The discussions
led to a briefing on regulations related to protection of privacy and on
developments of online uses. This Committee meeting also provided an
opportunity to analyze the Group’s business units’ best practices.
Conscious of the importance of remaining vigilant with regard to
the rapidly changing environment and risk factors for the Company
(particularly reputational risks), the CSR department ordered a study
to obtain a better understanding of methods for treatment of personal
data of children and teenagers held on the websites of the Group’s
subsidiaries offering media content to young audiences, in order to
anticipate any measures that would be applied under future European
regulations. In 2014, the results of this work will be presented at
a future meeting of the Committee, which will once more bring
together the representatives of the business units and institutional
representatives.
2.1.3.
Enhanced Vigilance of the Supply Chain
The Group’s commitments in terms of responsibility towards its
suppliers are guided by the rules of conduct of the Compliance Program,
the United Nations Global Compact and the French Responsible Supplier
Relationship Charter, which Vivendi signed in 2013. Implementation of
this Charter is based on the active involvement of the subsidiaries.
Therefore, representatives of the Purchasing, Legal and CSR
departments of the business units met to draw up an action plan and
be informed of the latest regulatory changes covering vigilance by
parent companies and firms in charge of placing orders with suppliers.
Meetings have been planned for 2014 in order to implement this Charter
within the Group.
