The language barrier can be extremely challenging. Eighty-four per cent of newly arrived Syrian refugees in London reported language barriers as a cause for unemployment, according to Breaking Barriers. Extra care is needed to support non-fluent English speakers into the UK’s media landscape.

The meanings of gestures and words can have subtle differences depending on the culture; for example, handshakes are a very Western gesture but are not readily accepted in all societies, religions or between all genders.

Different people may have conflicting experiences and expectations in mixed-gender contexts. Some individuals may find it challenging to put themselves forward or speak up because this is unusual for a person from their cultural background and outside of their previous experience. 

English is key for social and financial mobility, according to the results of a study by EnGen, an organisation that works with refugees to develop language skills for career advancement.

Acknowledging the variety of religious practices and key calendar dates is also essential. Holidays in the United Kingdom are planned according to a Christian calendar. Even though other cultural holidays are recognised in Western society, they are not yet established as part of official work holidays.

Another area to consider regarding religious beliefs is socialising based around alcohol during networking or informal journalism events. Are there ways to avoid inadvertently excluding people?

Any one of these aspects may increase the difficulty for displaced journalists or media workers to integrate into editorial teams and the overall work culture of newsrooms.