Strengthening a European Public Sphere

As Europe became more interconnected, the media’s role in shaping public understanding increased. The media influences how people see one another across borders and how public debate develops.

The European Cultural Foundation began working in this area through initiatives such as the European Working Group on Television and the European Institute for the Media, founded with the involvement of George Wedell, Professor at the University of Manchester and founding figure of the Institute. As George Wedell wrote in 1982, “the role of the media in such recognition is self-evident,” highlighting the importance of shared information spaces in shaping European awareness.

With the development of digital technologies, the landscape expanded. Under the leadership of Katherine Watson, Director of the European Cultural Foundation from 2010 to 2019, the Foundation supported initiatives such as LabforCulture, Doc Next Network and ReMapping Europe, enabling cultural practitioners and young creators to participate directly in shaping narratives. These efforts contributed to a more open and participatory public sphere across Europe.

At the individual level, this shift meant that more people could see themselves reflected in public discourse and take part in shaping it. Young creators, artists and media practitioners began to tell their own stories, often bringing perspectives that had previously been marginalised. This broadened who is visible and heard in European conversations, contributing to a public sphere that is more representative of lived experience across the continent.