As 2026 approaches, we look ahead with a clear set of wishes for the media ecosystems that shape our democratic futures:
✅ Inclusive media systems
✅ Transparent and accountable platforms
✅ Informed and critically engaged citizens
✅ Stronger bridges between research, policy, and practice.
In 2026, we hope to continue contributing to futures where media strengthens democracy, rather than undermines it.
📩 The final MeDeMAP newsletter of 2025 is out!
As MeDeMAP enters its final stage, we reflect on a year of intense research, collaboration, and public engagement dedicated to understanding how media shapes democratic life in Europe.
We are now finalising and sharing results that reflect MeDeMAP’s multi-method, comparative approach to media and democracy across Europe. We invite you to explore the newsletter here 👉 https://mailchi.mp/dbf55552ea68/medemap-mapping-media-for-future-democracies-newsletter-12750600
📢 MeDeMAP in the media
The Brazilian outlet PNB Online has published a short article featuring Agon: Constructions of Democracy, an essay developed within the MeDeMAP project.
Based on an article by Štěpán Šanda (EJO Czech Republic), the piece highlights audiovisual essays as innovative formats for disseminating research and engaging the public beyond traditional academic publishing.
🔗 Read the full news here: https://www.medemap.eu/?p=1732
OPEN REGISTRATION 👉 Seminar Mapping Media for Future Democracies
The MeDeMAP project invites journalists, researchers, and media professionals to discuss the intersection of media, data, and democracy in Europe.
📅 13 January 2026 | 14:00–17:30
📍 VUB Learning and Innovation Center, Brussels
⚠ Registration is required separately for each session. Participants may attend both.
More info: https://www.medemap.eu/?p=1694
🗺️ Discover Europe’s political information environments
As part of the MeDeMAP event on 13 January 2026 at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), we are hosting an interactive workshop dedicated to one of the project’s flagship outputs.
🧩 Session 2 (4.00 PM)
Interactive Workshop on the MeDeMAP Map
👉 Registration (mandatory): https://forms.gle/b7AFAanuuFupZHVs9
📩 More info here: https://www.medemap.eu/?p=1634
📰 How can journalism strengthen democracy in today’s Europe?
The MeDeMAP project is bringing together leading voices to discuss exactly that. Join us on 13 January 2026, at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), for a debate exploring the complex relationship between journalism and democracy.
🎙️ Session 1 (2.00 PM)
Journalism and Democracy – A Debate
👉 Registration (mandatory): https://forms.gle/JwbSgtj5rRP8XtjF7
ℹ️ More info here: https://www.medemap.eu/?p=1634
📘 MeDeMAP released the Official Guide for the Rome Conference 2026
It is now available at the project website the Conference Information Guide for “Beyond the Audience: Rethinking Participation and Power in the Age of Data Capitalism”, to be held on 15–16 January 2026 at IULM University in Rome.
🔗 Download the guide here: https://www.medemap.eu/?page_id=1577
For further information, please contact: conference@medemap.eu
🔍 Exploring Innovation in Democracy: Citizens’ Parliaments & Media
At MeDeMAP, we believe that the future of democracy depends on re-thinking how everyday people engage with media and public decision-making. That’s why our blog on “Citizens’ Parliaments” is so timely.
🔗 Read the full blog here: https://medemap.commit.at/
🔙 #ThrowbackThursday at MeDeMAP
Today, we revisit one of the most-read pieces on our blog:
“Too Many Limitations: What Are the Chances of Restoring Participatory and Pro-Democratic Values of PSM in Poland?”, by Beata Klimkiewicz (Jagiellonian University).
The piece highlights years of political influence in Poland public service.
👉 Read the full article on the MeDeMAP blog: https://media.medemap.eu/2024/02/02/too-many-limitations/
📢 Save the date - 13 January 2026
MeDeMAP is bringing its key research findings to Brussels for a full day of discussions on Europe’s media and democratic futures.
In the morning, policymakers and EU actors will debate the future of media regulation. In the afternoon, a debate on journalism and democracy and a hands-on workshop with the MeDeMAP map will take place at VUB.
Read the full news here 👉 https://www.medemap.eu/?p=1634
🗺️ MeDeMAP – Mapping Media for Future Democracies
📢 Our next newsletter is coming soon!
Want to stay up to date with our latest research, project activities, events, and insights on how media ecosystems can better support democratic futures?
Subscribe to the MeDeMAP newsletter and be the first to receive updates directly in your inbox:
👉 https://mailchi.mp/5ed498de5d00/medemapsignup
📘 Roundtable in Lisbon: presenting MeDeMAP’s new book on Media and Democracy
In October, the authors of the "Democracy and Media in Europe: A Discursive-Material Approach" book, @Nico Carpentier and @Jeffrey Wimmer, participated in a roundtable in Lisbon (at Lusófona University) to present this output exploring the intersections between media, democracy, and citizen participation.
🎥 Watch the full session here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bi5dhBCdVBk
👥 Do you want to know more about the MeDeMAP book?
Last October, we spoke with @Nico Carpentier and @Jeffrey Wimmer, authors of the book “The Democracy and Media in Europe”, during the 20th anniversary of the CICANT research center at Lusófona University in Lisbon.
▶️ Watch this short conversation here: https://youtube.com/shorts/1OVyU09ZQDQ?si=MSjGtoWvtlptOBt2
🗣️ Exploring participation and power in the age of data capitalism - MeDeMAP Conference
Registration opens for the MeDeMAP conference “Beyond the Audience: Rethinking Participation and Power in the Age of Data Capitalism”, taking place on 15–16 January 2026 at IULM University in Rome.
The conference invites reflections on audiences, participation, and agency in the age of data capitalism.
📰 Read the full news here: https://www.medemap.eu/?p=1617
📚 MeDeMAP publication featured in the EC Library Guides
The book "Democracy and Media in Europe" — produced within the MeDeMAP project — has been included in the “Selected Books” section of the European Commission Library Guides under the theme European Values.
This recognition highlights the project’s ongoing contribution to the reflection on democracy, media, and civic engagement in Europe.
🔗 Explore the listing here: https://ec-europa-eu.libguides.com/common_european_values/books/selected
🎬 Première of “Agon: Constructions of Democracy” in Prague
On 23 October 2025, the film essay "Agon: Constructions of Democracy" premiered at Kino Ponrepo in Prague. A roundtable discussion then took place with the film’s directors, Ali Minanto and Sofia Caldeira, and Director of Photography Jhon Sany Purwanto. The session was moderated by Vaia Doudaki.
📸 Photo by Mazlum Kemal Dağdelen.
Learn more about the film at 👉 https://www.constructionsofdemocracy.eu
🗞️ Stay ahead with MeDeMAP
Subscribe to the MeDeMAP newsletter to receive the latest insights from our research, event updates, publications, and opportunities to engage with our community.
✔️ Be the first to know about new findings from our European research network
✔️ Gain exclusive access to our project highlights and resources
✔️ Stay informed about upcoming events, workshops, and calls for collaboration
Subscribe here: https://mailchi.mp/5ed498de5d00/medemapsignup
🔔 Reminder - Policy Lab Learning Webinar
Citizens’ Parliament: Lessons in Public Participation
There’s still time to join us this October 24th for an inspiring session on deliberative democracy and citizen participation!
Nico Carpentier and Vaia Doudaki, MeDeMAP team members from Charles University, will share insights from the Czech Citizen Parliament on Media and Democracy.
📅 Date: October 24, 2025
🔗 Register or learn more: https://www.medemap.eu/?p=1573
🎥 Stay connected with MeDeMAP - anytime, anywhere 🎧
Couldn’t attend one of our events? You can still be part of the conversation.
All MeDeMAP roundtables, talks, and key discussions are available on our YouTube and Spotify channels, ensuring that the insights, voices, and debates shaping media and democracy in Europe remain accessible to everyone.
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MeDeMAP
🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6vUGDE7dyJ1Hvjz3WhEMon?si=2fe8a4cc55024026
🗣️Special roundtable and book presentation exploring new perspectives on media-democracy relations in Europe!
Featuring Nico Carpentier and Jeffrey Wimmer, the session will include CICANT researchers José Gomes Pinto, Maria José Brites, and Sara Pina, chaired by Manuel José Damásio.
📅 October 8, 2025 | 11AM–01PM
📍 Professor José Araújo Auditorium, Lusófona University
🔗 Free registration (limited capacity): https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=BsyME2tRgU6IEwb9JTG93EyrZ5MUb7ZLvGOG2Hx3TYNUOFI0Szg4MlkzWlRXRTdDNUtPUFJPMkRLTy4u&route=shorturl
