đź“š New reports from the MeDeMAP project are now publicly available on the website. These deliverables share recent research progress and insights on media and democracy in Europe.
They contribute to the project’s work on strengthening democratic media systems and provide useful resources for researchers, policymakers, media professionals, and anyone interested in the future of media and democracy.
⛓️‍💥 Explore them here: https://www.medemap.eu/?page_id=374
🎬 The MeDeMAP film essay “AGON: Constructions of Democracy” has been published in Issue 16 – 2025 (2) of Tecmerin: Journal of Audiovisual Essays. Set in Prague, the film weaves together the city’s aesthetics with intercultural dialogue, bringing into conversation members of the Indonesian community and other communities residing in the Czech capital.
đź”— Read the open-access article here: https://www.medemap.eu/?p=1806
📍 Reflecting on “Jornalistas e Audiências – Perceções Dissonantes”
On 19 February, MeDeMAP held a timely discussion on news integrity in Portugal, at the LusĂłfona University (Lisbon).
The exchange underscored a central insight from MeDeMAP’s research: strengthening democratic media ecosystems requires dialogue between journalists and audiences. Read the full news here: https://www.medemap.eu/?p=1803
🛡️ How can we better protect democracy in today’s media landscape?
On 20 February, MeDeMAP joined Checking the Fact-Checkers for the seminar “How to Protect Democracy” at Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD). A key highlight was the presentation of MeDeMAP’s last findings by Tatyana Chervyakova, from the Lusófona University team.
Read the full news here 👉 https://www.medemap.eu/?p=1786
đź“Ł Save the date - MeDeMAP event in Lisbon
On 19 February 2026, Lusófona University will host the next MeDeMAP public event “Journalists and Audiences – Dissonant Perceptions”, taking place in person from 10:00 to 12:30 at the Auditório Agostinho da Silva (Lusófona – CUL, Lisbon).
đź’¬ The event includes a debate and Q&A, offering an opportunity to engage with researchers and media professionals. Read the full news here: https://www.medemap.eu/?p=1783
🎬The film essay AGON: Constructions of Democracy (2025) will be featured in a working group of the MCAP Conference, on February 12, sparking dialogue on democracy as a lived, contested practice—not just an institution.
Insights from the session will feed into policy, academic, and professional discussions, highlighting how creative, media-based approaches can strengthen democratic practice. Read the full news here 👉 https://www.medemap.eu/?p=1780
MeDeMAP: from research to democratic action 🗣️
On 13 January 2026, MeDeMAP brought its research to Brussels, connecting citizens, journalists, researchers, and policymakers at a crucial moment for European media policy.
A full day of dialogue, data, and democratic reflection — and a key step in turning research insights into policy-relevant conversations as MeDeMAP enters its final phase. Read the full news here 👉️ https://www.medemap.eu/?p=1777
đź“• New open-access publication from the MeDeMAP team
A new book chapter by Andrea Miconi and Nico Carpentier has just been published in Rethinking Media and Communication: A Critical Sociological Lens (Brill, 2026).
This publication is part of MeDeMAP’s Work Package 2 (WP2), with a shortened version to be integrated into Deliverable D2.4, and reflects a strong collaboration with WP5.
Read the full news here: https://www.medemap.eu/?p=1774
🎙️ Citizen Parliaments, research, and European democracy
In a recent episode of the Mandl-Mikro Podcast, Josef Seethaler — researcher at the Austrian Academy of Sciences and the Universities of Vienna and Klagenfurt — discussed his work on anti-democratic tendencies and the development of Citizen Parliaments across Europe.
A timely reflection on research, participation, and the future of European democracy.
You can listen to it here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5gkzZQJNWHQWc8RPe0hwVF?si=gveIlndTR4CbyD4KOBY9uQ&nd=1&dlsi=0492daade1e24d24
🎬 MeDeMAP’s film essay highlighted in the European Journalism Observatory
The European Journalism Observatory (EJO) has highlighted the growing role of audiovisual and film essays in academic research. In Štěpán Šanda's article, the film essay "AGON: Constructions of Democracy" is featured as an example of how sound and image can offer new ways of thinking, analysing, and communicating ideas about democracy.
Read more here 👉 https://www.medemap.eu/?p=1758
đź‘Ą Seminar | Media, Participation, and Democracy
On 28 January 2026, MeDeMAP will contribute to the CULCORC Seminar Series with the event “The Czech Citizen Parliament: Analysing Media Change, Participation, and Democracy”, taking place at Charles University (Prague).
Read the full news here: https://www.medemap.eu/?p=1768
How does Portuguese media shape democracy? ✍
That was the central question of the MeDeMAP webinar held on January 20th, where the Portuguese national results of the project were presented by MeDeMAP researcher Tatiana Chervyakova in partnership with SOPCOM’s Political Communication Working Group.
The webinar brought together academics, media professionals, and students for a timely discussion on the role of media in today’s democratic societies.
🎙️ New podcast episode:
What role can community media play in strengthening democratic life today - and tomorrow?
In our latest podcast episode, we dive into this question with @Helmut Peissl and @laurence Monnot from COMMIT. This conversation highlights why community media is not peripheral, but central to building more inclusive, resilient, and participatory democratic ecosystems.
👉 Watch the full episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8S4z9I6cT4c&t=6s
🗣️ MeDeMAP confirmed two keynote speakers for the project conference, taking place on 15–16 January 2026 at IULM University in Rome:
- Prof. Tiziana Terranova (University of Naples “L’Orientale”)
- Prof. Sofie Van Bauwel (Ghent University)
Join us as we advance collective reflection on the intersections of media, data, democracy, and social transformation. 🔜
As 2026 approaches, we look ahead with a clear set of wishes for the media ecosystems that shape our democratic futures:
âś… Inclusive media systems
âś… Transparent and accountable platforms
âś… Informed and critically engaged citizens
âś… Stronger bridges between research, policy, and practice.
In 2026, we hope to continue contributing to futures where media strengthens democracy, rather than undermines it.
đź“© 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.
đź”— 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
đź“Ť VUB Learning and Innovation Center, Brussels
âš 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
đź“© 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
