MeDeMap

The research project studies the extent to which certain media, under which conditions, perform which democratic functions, for which audiences - thus making it apparent what is at stake for democratic media – and for democracy itself.

Citizens' parliaments are democratic tools to increase the voice of citizens by carefully organising deliberations on a particular societal issue, and supporting citizens to formulate a number of resolutions that will contribute to the improvement of society. Citizens' parliaments do not replace the democratically elected parliament or government, but they complement and enrich them, allowing for more citizen participation.

This call for participants has now closed. 20 citizens were chosen from a field of over 60 applicants. They were chosen to provide as wide a range of diversity as possible. Ireland has a rich history of operating citizens' parliaments. This initiative provides Irish people the opportunity to be part of this democratic research.

The theme of this Irish Citizens' parliament is media and democracy. Participants will reflect about the role of media in strengthening Irish democracy. Issues that will be discussed are;

• How to organise the Irish media landscape to better serve democracy
• How particular media content can better support democracy
• How citizen participation can be enhanced in and through the media
   

The Irish research is led by Dr Rosemary Day, Head of Media & Communication Studies at Mary Immaculate College (MIC), Limerick, and is part of the European MeDeMAP research project. Researchers on the project are Jude McInerney and Kathy Cush, both from the Media and Communications Department at Mary Immaculate College Limerick.

'Be Part of a Citizens' Parliament' poster

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

Be Part of a Citizens' Parliament

Have your voice heard!

A Call Out for Participants has now closed. 20 citizens were chosen from a field of over 60 applicants. They were chosen to provide as wide a range of diversity as possible.

• Join us to discuss how the media can support democracy.
• Make resolutions that will be heard in Limerick, Dáil Éireann and Europe.
• Meet and talk with other interested people (lunch etc. provided)

Data Protection

Personal information collected by MIC is treated with the highest standards of security and confidentiality in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). For further information and full data privacy notice please click here. In case you wish to have your data removed or altered, or have concerns about stored data, please contact MeDeMap@mic.ul.ie.

The following are the dates for the upcoming Citizens' Parliament Events:

• 22 March 2025 - First Citizens' Parliament
• 05 April 2025 - Second Citizens' Parliament
• 26 April 2025 - Third Citizens' Parliament
• 10 May 2025 - Fourth Citizens' Parliament

Location

Rooms G10 & G08
Mary Immaculate College, 
South Circular Road, 
Courtback, 
Limerick V94VN26

MIC Insights

Media and Democracy – Citizens have their say - Read here - MIC Insights

MIC News

Citizens Gather at MIC for Citizens’ Parliaments to shape the future of media and democracy - Read More

Local News

Calls for 'Media Literacy' to be taught in school. Read more - Live 95 News

Citizens' parliament to meet Limerick as part of European project. Read more - Limerick Leader

Podcasts

Dr Rosemary Day, Head of the Department of Media & Communications Studies at MIC and the MeDeMap project leader for Ireland joins Ciaran Murray on Northside Today to discuss the EU’s Mapping and Media Democracy initiative. Listen here - Near fm

Links Between Social Media and Democracy

In the podcast below, Dr Rosemary Day, Media & Communication Studies, MIC, talks to Live95 Limerick Today about the National Citizens’ Parliament on Media and Democracy which will take place in Limerick, starting on Saturday 22 March, 2025. It is part of a European research project looking at how media and democracy are connected and how both can be protected for the future.

Radio

An interview with Rosemary Day about the national Citizens’ Parliament in Limerick was broadcast on 4 April 2025. The interview starts at 50.47 and finishes at 56.16. In it she explains how the parliament was constituted and where the resolutions of the parliament will be presented so that they have an impact on legislation, regulation and on journalistic codes and practice. Listen here - RTE Raidió na Gaeltachta

Community Radio Podcast

This video was shot in Prague in March 2025 as part of the HORIZON funded MeDeMap research project on Media and Democracy. In it, members of the Irish research team, Kathy Cush, Rosemary Day and Jude McInerney, talk about how community media operate and focus on how they can work to support and protect democracy.