Our network
Language Plurality in Europe’s Changing Media Sphere is an interdisciplinary research network funded by the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST Association). Launched in October 2024, PLURILINGMEDIA brings together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to strengthen and promote the study of media in Europe’s regional and minority languages. By fostering cross-disciplinary dialogue, collaboration and knowledge exchange, the network supports a more vibrant, inclusive, and multilingual European media landscape.
The Grant Holder Institution of PLURILINGMEDIA is the European Centre on Minority Issues (Flensborg/Flensburg), the institutional affiliation of the Action Chair (and formerly Main Proposer) Dr. Craig Willis.
Our challenge
Linguistic diversity has been a key focus at the European level through the Council of Europe and the European Union – media is one of the prominent spheres within this. Regional and minority languages face ongoing challenges, both in traditional and digital media, as global languages dominate and technological advances reshape media consumption.
While early research focused on broadcasting and printed press, recent studies also explore the impact of digitalisation and social media on language use. Despite progress, minority language media continues to face threats, including the loss of outlets and the rise of global digital platforms.
Our objectives
- Strengthening knowledge: We bring together stakeholders to explore audience habits, legislation, language vitality, and journalism.
- Adapting to new trends: We compare how media outlets adapt to changing consumption and content creation trends across generations, focusing on AI advancements.
- Shaping media legislation: We share expertise on international and national media laws, highlighting gaps in legal tools for protecting linguistic diversity.
- Connecting experts and practitioners: We foster collaboration between academics and media professionals to understand the link between language vitality and media presence.
- Supporting journalism: We provide a forum for journalism practitioners and academics to discuss the balance between journalistic practice and the preservation of linguistic diversity.
Meet our Working Groups
WG1. Audience and content-creator habits
Explores audience habits and content creation practices within the context of media plurality and minority languages.
WG2. Legislation and Standards
Examines how laws and standards affect minority and regional languages in the media.
WG3. Language Vitality
Explores how minority media support language vitality through education, revitalization, and everyday use.
WG4. Journalism
Focuses on minority language journalists, their challenges, and builds a network of researchers and professionals in the field.
Our history
Kick-off event in Brussels
Meeting of Working Group 1, Working Group 4 and Core Group members in Budapest
First Call for Grants published
Working Group 3 meeting in Rēzekne
Core Group meeting in Ljubljana
Launch of the Website
How can I participate in the Action as …
Researcher
- Connect with researchers from across Europe working on regional and minority languages and media from various academic disciplines.
- Gain the opportunity to discuss potential future funding applications with international partners
- Disseminate your own research to a wider interested audience
Media practitioner
- Influence academics’ research focus by informing them of latest trends and challenges in media.
- Learn from comparative research from communities across Europe.
- Potentially host students or interns through the Short Term Scientific Missions funding.
Policymaker
- Attend workshops aimed at producing policy papers within the four Working Groups
- Engage with media practitioners to enhance knowledge of the current challenges in the field.
- Contribute to shaping research foci of future academic projects.
Meet our Core Group
The Core Group manages the various activities of PLURILINGMEDIA.
