The impact of research conducted by the Faculty of Mass Media Communication and its results on improving the quality of the media ecosystem in the Slovak Republic

RESEARCH AREA: MEDIA AND COMMUNICATION SCIENCES

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CONTRIBUTION TO THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS OF THE UCM

The goal of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) is to build inclusive societies, ensure access to justice, and strengthen trustworthy institutions. Supporting community media and deliberative communication increases the plurality of voices, access to reliable information, and the transparency of public discourse. At UCM, research creates methodologies and tools for the legal anchoring of community media and the diagnosis of media risks. At the same time, it fulfills SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through partnerships and SDG 4 (Quality Education) through the development of competencies and the linking of research with practice.

Social demand	The Slovak media ecosystem faces challenges that threaten the diversity, freedom, and quality of public communication. Community media, which represent the voice of minorities and marginalized groups, need a stable and legally established position in order to contribute effectively to democratic discourse. At the same time, it is essential to better understand the media risks and opportunities in a rapidly changing digital environment.
UCM solution	Research at the Faculty of Mass Media Communication at UCM focuses on creating innovative tools and methodologies to support community media and deliberative communication. The result is a legislative initiative that has legally secured a stable position for community media in Slovak media legislation. The faculty also actively participates in international projects such as Horizon 2020, where it collaborates with experts from 14 countries on diagnosing media risks and opportunities.
Social impact of the UCM solution	The implementation of these solutions leads to a significant strengthening of the media ecosystem. Community media have gained the ability to freely and credibly represent diverse voices in society, contributing to a more transparent and vibrant democracy. The research results are published in renowned scientific publications and contribute to the development of media practice, for example through the student radio station Aetter, which serves as an incubator for talent and community initiatives.
Partnerships	A strong international network of experts enables the exchange of experience and knowledge, which enriches the Slovak media sector. Partnerships with institutions across Europe provide access to cutting-edge knowledge and diagnostic tools that improve the quality of media communication and promote freedom of the press. This cooperation creates a solid foundation for the long-term development of the media environment.
Contact	doc. PhDr. Ján Višňovský, PhD. (jan.visnovsky@ucm.sk) Faculty of Mass Media Communication Univerzita sv. Cyrila a Metoda v Trnave Nám. Jozefa Herdu 2 917 01 Trnava