After ten years of in-depth research conducted under the Media Pluralism Monitor (MPM) project, the Centre for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom has published Media Pluralism in the Digital Era: Legal, Economic, Social, and Political Lessons Learnt from Europe, a book that gathers key findings and presents the results of its extensive efforts over the years.
The publication brings together the collective insights of scholars, journalists, and researchers from 27 European countries. It provides a comparative analysis of the evolution of relevant conditions for sustainable, free, and pluralistic media and journalism in Europe in the last ten years.
“This ten-year journey has not only provided data and insights, but also offered an opportunity to reflect on the key trends that have shaped media evolution and the ways citizens access and process information. By assessing the democratic standards that underpin our societies—often in response to rapid digital transformation—our research has helped advance collective knowledge and informed media policy,” said Pier Luigi Parcu, co-editor and Director of the CMPF.
The 13 chapters approach the complex and evolving concept of media pluralism from various complementary — and at times conflicting — perspectives, combining legal, economic, social, and political viewpoints. Together, they offer a comprehensive understanding of media pluralism, an essential prerequisite for a well-functioning democracy.
“Quality journalism and sustainable, independent media are facing unprecedented challenges. On one side, they must navigate profound digital transformations and the disruptive influence of powerful technology companies. On the other hand, they continue to confront renewed threats from political and economic elites. This book explores these issues in depth, providing both a theoretical, and empirical basis for understanding media pluralism,” explained Iva Nenadic, Research Fellow at the CMPF and co-editor of the book.
The chapters draw on data from the Media Pluralism Monitor project, a scientific tool designed and implemented on a regular basis to document the health of media ecosystems, and to provide insights into central dimensions of media systems across the EU and candidate countries. Over the years, the Media Pluralism Monitor has become a cornerstone in assessing pluralism across Europe’s media landscape through rigorous data collection and analysis. Notably, the MPM exercise has informed the Rule of Law Report of the European Commission and contributed to the debate leading to the adoption of the European Media Freedom Act.
“I would like to voice a special thanks to the country-based teams of researchers whose local expertise and efforts were key elements in ensuring the scope, reach, and impact of the project. This decade-long collaboration has brought forth an incredibly stronger debate across Europe. For all the people involved, the discussions we had, and the wonder of any new information received, I am profoundly grateful,” added co-editor Elda Brogi, CMPF Scientific Coordinator.
The book provides a comprehensive overview of key areas of EU media policy, examines the causes and solutions for the media industry’s economic challenges, and highlights innovative business models for journalism in the digital age. It is particularly recommended for advanced students and researchers in the field of media policy and regulation, as well as policymakers.
Check the table of contents here.