Mapping Media for Future Democracies (MeDeMAP)

MeDeMAP is a Horizon Europe research project being carried out in collaboration with ten European institutions to set out future-proof pathways to strengthen democracy through improving accountability, transparency, and effectiveness of media production, and expanding active and inclusive citizenship. 

The project aims to clarify the extent to which certain media under which conditions perform which democratic functions for which audiences, thus making it apparent what is at stake for democratic media – and for democracy itself. 

By applying an innovative multi-method design consisting of data science methods, large-scale quantitative analyses, in-depth qualitative approaches, and participatory action research, the project will cover:

• Perspectives of both representative and participatory notions of democracy as they exist in European societies;

• The entire range of news media, regardless of distribution channel, mandate, ownership, and source of financing;

• The legal and (self-)regulatory framework under which media houses and journalism operate and people use media;

• The media’s potential to promote and support political participation (supply side);

• The media use patterns, communication needs, and democratic attitudes of the audiences (demand side) in all EU Member States.

MeDeMAP’s exploitation activities aim to maximise the impact and reach of the project results. These activities include:

• Map of European political information environments: A tool that will encompass a set of layers that will represent 1) the legal and (self-)regulatory frameworks within which media organizations and journalists operate throughout the European Union, 2) the range of media services available in the Member States and the forms of political participation they facilitate during technological changes and complex political issues, and 3) the patterns of media use, communication needs, and democratic attitudes in diverse societies and high-choice media environments.

• Policy Papers: Reference documents tailored for various stakeholders to influence decision-making and policy formulation.

• Leaflets and Online Guidance: Resources to enhance media and information literacy. These materials will empower communities and citizens to create their own media content.

• Workshops: Practice-focused events on how to use the map of European political information environments as a decision-making tool.

• Roadshows: Tours to present the map and highlight key stories, engaging with diverse audiences across Europe.

• Podcasts and Videos: The MeDeMAP podcast – Mapping Media for Future Democracies will present and uncover the project, its results and filmic stories of participation, targeting a wide audience (including younger people) through engaging and accessible formats. Available in audio and video here.

(Source: medemap.eu)

Read more about the MeDeMAP project on the official project website or in the fact sheet on Cordis.

CMC Staff

Project Coordinator and Primary Investigator

Josef Seethaler

Researchers

Michael Alexander

Eva Tamara Asboth

Maren B. M. Beaufort

Andreas Schulz-Tomančok

Ernest Thaqi

Barbara Thomaß

Project Manager

Olha Drozd

Publications and Lectures