GSS EU Science Funding Gateway

Media accountability and professional journalism have a key role in democratic societies for safeguarding a free and responsible media. In light of an increased economization of media communication, increased market concentration, and the accelerated technological changes including automatised content selection and sharing processes, the established system of media accountability seems to be at a crossroads that requires innovative ideas for improvement. Research should thus examine the political role of traditional and new digital media in performing key democratic functions and reaching out to all segments of society, including women as well as minorities and disadvantaged groups.

Proposals are expected to address some of the following: they should examine under what conditions, including training, career and working conditions, traditional and new media organizations and journalism operate in modern European societies. Proposals should focus on the implications of modern, technologically mediated configurations for the political agency of citizens. Relevant focus could be media participation and civic engagement, journalists’ professional and ethical standards, the role of education and training in fostering critical media literacy, persuasive technology, inequality (including gender inequality) and exclusion, institutional politics and activism, and populism.

Changes in media markets and the role of economic, commercial, technological as well as political forces in shaping current changes in the role of media should be analysed. Proposals should bring together, in a holistic manner, academic research, practitioners’ reflection, and citizens’ views on the relationship between media and democracy.