General information
Code: V5-2297
Period: 1.10.2022 - 30.9.2025
Range on year: 0.27 FTE | 2022
Project leader at FDV: prof.dr. Igor Vobič
Co-financiers: Sofinancer: Ministrstvo za kulturo Republike Slovenije
Sofinancer: ARIS - Javna agencija za znanstvenoraziskovalno in inovacijsko dejavnost Republike Slovenije
Partnerska raziskovalna organizacija: Fakulteta za računalništvo in informatiko Univerze v Ljubljani
Research activity: Social sciences
Abstract
According to the Van Cuilenberg model of a "normative diversity chain", the project defines define social diversity and democracy as central points of normative concern for media diversity, which reflects social diversity (such as "diversity of information and opinions") and sustains democracy. However, it is not just about reflecting social diversity in the media. Social diversity entails the plurality of various social interests and actors influencing the media; these actors - such as media owners and controllers, professional groups, non-governmental organizations, political parties, audiences, and many others - will be at the center of our research.
The objectives of the proposed project are:
1. To analyze the key dimensions and patterns of diversity in the production, distribution, and consumption of media content in a selected sample of Slovenian media and their users.
2. To assess to what extent traditional and new media, especially RTV Slovenia as the central public broadcaster, fulfill the basic democratic requirement of providing various citizen groups with a forum for public discourse (this is especially true for those groups historically marginalized) and to develop new approaches to the democratization of communication, media, and the public sphere.
3. To identify which existing media structures and technologies hinder democratic practices and which can best enable equal participation of all citizens in public life; which policies, regulatory frameworks, strategies, and legislative initiatives would be best adopted to maintain and promote media plurality, diversity of information sources and cultural diversity, and to increase citizen participation in the media and public sphere.
4. To explore the characteristics and level of media literacy in various social groups, especially different age groups, with a focus on developing competencies necessary for recognizing misinformation and fake news.
The work in the project is organized into three working packages. The first working package examines differences in media reporting that contribute to the Slovenian media landscape and answers the question of the extent to which the content of Slovenian media is homogeneous or pluralistic. This is addressed by examining the extent and patterns devoted to addressing various public issues and events, as well as the space dedicated to various social actors. The purpose of the second working package is to determine which existing media structures and practices strengthen or hinder the democratic potentials of pluralism and which policies, regulatory frameworks, strategies, and legislative initiatives could be adopted to maintain and promote media pluralism, diversity of information sources and cultural diversity, and increase citizen participation in the media and public sphere. To this end, we examine structural changes in social communication in terms of internal and external media stakeholders in media legislation using in-depth interviews and document analysis. The purpose of the third working package is to investigate the characteristics and level of media literacy among different generations of Slovenian media users and how to appropriately complement governance (a mix of institutional and non-governmental initiatives) in this area.
The phases of the project and their realization
Working Package 1: Analysis of Publications of Slovenian Television, Radio, Print, and Online Media
Objective: To identify differences in media reporting that contribute to the Slovenian media landscape and answer the question of the extent to which the content of Slovenian media is homogeneous or pluralistic.
Methods: Big data analysis of content from selected Slovenian media
Phases:
- Preliminary work and study planning (months 1–8)
- Data collection and preparation and editing of databases (months 9–24)
- Data analysis (partial and final) and preparation of partial research reports (months 12–28)
- Preparation of research report, recommendations for decision-makers, and final dissemination (months 29–36)
Working Package 2: Analysis of Structural Changes in Social Communication
Objective: To determine which existing media structures and practices strengthen or hinder the democratic potentials of pluralism and which policies, regulatory frameworks, strategies, and legislative initiatives could be adopted to maintain and promote media pluralism, diversity of information sources and cultural diversity, and increase citizen participation in the media and public sphere.
Methods: Semi-structured interviews with stakeholders and document analysis in the field of media policies and regulation
Phases:
- Preliminary work and study planning (months 1–8)
- Conducting interviews/document analysis at RTV Slovenia and preparation of partial research reports (months 9–15)
- Conducting interviews/document analysis in other (privately owned) media and preparation of partial research reports (months 15–24)
- Preparation of research report, recommendations for decision-makers, and final dissemination (months 24–36)
Working Package 3: Media Literacy and Competencies for Recognizing Disinformation
Objective: To determine the characteristics and level of media literacy among different generations of Slovenian media users, and how to appropriately supplement governance (a mix of institutional and non-governmental initiatives) in this area.
Method: Survey of the general population and focus groups with members of media audiences
Phases:
- Preliminary work and study planning (months 1–7)
- Conducting surveys, working with focus groups, document analysis (months 8–17)
- Analysis and comparison of survey and focus group findings, analysis of legislation, and preparation of research reports (months 18–30)
- Preparation of recommendations for decision-makers and final dissemination (months 31–36).
Research Organisation
https://cris.cobiss.net/ecris/si/en/project/20131
Researchers
https://cris.cobiss.net/ecris/si/en/project/20131
Citations for bibliographic records
https://cris.cobiss.net/ecris/si/en/project/20131
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