Mapping Media for Future Democracies (MeDeMAP)

Basic research , Democracy , Journalism , Media

2023 - 2026

Provider	European Commisssion
Program	Horizon Europe
Project code	101094984
Participants	Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften (coordinator), Faculty of Social Sciences Charles University, Libera Universita di Lingue e Comunicazione IULM, Uniwersytet Jagiellonski, COMMIT - Community Medien Institut für Weiterbildung, Forschung und Beratung, COFAC - Cooperativa de Formacao e Animacao Cultural CRL, Tallinn University, Institut Mines-Telecom, Mary Immaculate College, Mirovni Institut
Principal investigator	Dr. Josef Seethaler

Do media perform democratic functions for audiences?

What is the relationship between media and democracy? Can there be democracy without media? What about media in countries where democratic values and structures are at risk?The EU-funded MeDeMAP project will answer these questions. It will study the extent to which certain media perform democratic functions for audiences as well as the conditions under which this takes place. Specifically, the project will draw from large-scale quantitative analyses, in-depth qualitative approaches and participatory action research. It will explore the entire range of news media, regardless of distribution channel, and consider the media’s potential to promote and support political participation. The findings will be used to create a multi-layer map of European political information environments, highlighting good practice examples.

The Institute of Communication Studies and Journalism at Charles University is one of the partners of the EU-funded MeDeMAP. This project will study the extent to which certain media perform democratic functions for audiences as well as the conditions under which this takes place. Specifically, the project will draw from large-scale quantitative analyses, in-depth qualitative approaches and participatory action research. It will explore the entire range of news media, regardless of distribution channel, and consider the media’s potential to promote and support political participation. The findings will be used to create a multi-layer map of European political information environments, highlighting good practice examples.