PLURILINGMEDIA’s First Management Committee Meeting: Setting the Path for Advancing Linguistic Plurality in European Media

The first Management Committee (MC) meeting of the PLURILINGMEDIA Action (CA23105) was held on October 2, 2024, at the COST Association headquarters in Brussels. This gathering marks a key moment in the initiative’s journey to protect and promote linguistic plurality in Europe’s rapidly changing media landscape. Spearheaded by the ECMI, the Action seeks to tackle the challenges posed by digitalisation and the dominance of larger languages in the media, and to support the use of regional and minority languages.

ECMI's Craig Willis appointed as Action Chair

As the main proposer and grant holder of the PLURILINGMEDIA Action, the ECMI has played an important role in shaping the vision and objectives of the initiative. During the meeting, the Management Committee unanimously approved Craig Willis as the Action Chair. Craig's appointment underscores the ECMI’s leadership in fostering a comprehensive approach to linguistic diversity in media, building on its long history of research, workshops, and networking in the minority language media sector.

The ECMI’s involvement in the Action extends beyond the Chair position. Sergiusz Bober serves as the Grant Holder Scientific Representative, overseeing the scientific execution and financial management of the Action. Stanislav Černega was appointed as Assistant Communications Coordinator of the Action, ensuring effective communication and outreach. Together, these ECMI representatives form part of the the core group driving the Action’s strategic and operational progress.

A full day of activities: laying the groundwork for the Action

The meeting’s agenda was packed with informative sessions and interactive discussions aimed at equipping the Management Committee with the tools and knowledge needed to steer the Action successfully. COST Association staff opened the programme with an introduction to the technical, scientific, and logistical aspects of COST Actions, setting the stage for PLURILINGMEDIA's strategic roadmap.

One of the highlights of the day was the World Café activity, where participants were divided into smaller groups, each led by the leaders of the four Working Groups (WGs). These discussions focused on the core themes of the Action:

• WG1: Audience and Content-Creator Habits – Exploring shifts in media consumption and the convergence of traditional and social media.
• WG2: Legislation and Standards – Addressing legal frameworks to protect linguistic plurality in media.
• WG3: Language Vitality – Examining the role of media in language acquisition, maintenance, and revitalisation.
• WG4: Journalism – Balancing the role of journalists in both delivering news and preserving linguistic diversity.

These sessions allowed participants to engage deeply with the Action’s objectives and laid the foundation for future collaboration among scholars, practitioners, and policymakers.

Decisions and approvals

During the meeting, the MC approved several key decisions that will shape the direction of the Action. In addition to confirming Craig Willis as the Action Chair, the Committee approved the initial budget for the first year and appointed both mandatory and non-mandatory leadership roles. The core group, responsible for managing day-to-day decisions, was also established, with several decision-making powers delegated to this group to streamline operations.

The leadership team’s composition reflects PLURILINGMEDIA’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity, with a strong representation of young researchers, women, and participants from COST Inclusiveness Target Countries.

Evening reception

Following the formal meeting, a reception was held at the Wales House in Brussels, hosted by the Welsh Higher Education Brussels (WHEB), in collaboration with the ECMI and the European Language Equality Network (ELEN). The reception provided an ideal setting for informal networking, one of the core aims of COST Actions. Participants from various countries and disciplines had the opportunity to forge new connections and strengthen the collaborative spirit that is central to PLURILINGMEDIA’s success.

Opportunities to get involved: join the Working Groups

With the Action now fully underway, researchers and practitioners interested in linguistic plurality and media are encouraged to get involved. Applications for Working Group membership are currently open, offering a chance to contribute to the Action’s groundbreaking work. Affiliated individuals from various disciplines can apply, with applications assessed on a rolling basis by the Management Committee.

In addition, the Action will soon open calls for small scientific grants, conference grants, and other funding opportunities to support individual researchers and projects that align with PLURILINGMEDIA’s goals.

For more information on how to join the Working Groups and participate in future initiatives, visit the COST Action page.

As PLURILINGMEDIA moves forward, ECMI’s leadership will remain crucial in advancing research, fostering collaboration, and ensuring that Europe’s linguistic plurality is protected and promoted in the evolving media landscape. Stay tuned for more updates as this important initiative progresses!