Mission
The Center for Media, Data and Society (CMDS) is an independent media research and policy think tank that seeks to improve the quality of media policymaking through research and debate.
Our focus
Research
Research is our core activity. We conduct research about the impact of media and information policy on society and practice, particularly journalism. Besides projects that we generate on our own, we partner with think tanks, academics and journalists to conduct joint research projects and investigations.
For more information about our current research priorities, see our 2020-2022 Strategy.
Education
We use our research to teach and explain media policy. The center runs courses and workshops at a dozen of universities worldwide, provides trainings and organizes exchanges through workshops, lectures and conferences on current developments in the field.
Our research does not only sit on library shelves.
We take the findings of our research into policy debates and forums and share expertise with practitioners, experts and civil society involved in the policy making process.
Expertise
We support regulators and market players by providing them expert analysis about policy and legal developments as well as data and information and about media and journalism.
Our reporting includes:
- Bespoke analysis: firsthand accounts on political changes, regulation and policy developments
- Country profiles and comparative reports: description of regulatory and policy frameworks and analysis of regulatory trends across a range of countries
- Data: information about funding and ownership in media and journalism
For more information on our consultancy services, please contact Marius Dragomir, our center’s director.
History
The CMDS was founded in 2004 as the Center for Media and Communication Studies, an independent research center of Central European University (CEU).
In January 2014, the Center joined the CEU’s new School of Public Policy (SPP). In September 2014 was chartered by the Rector. The same month, the center adopted its current name to reflect the interests and expertise of the faculty and staff, particularly in technology policy. In 2020, the Center joined CEU’s new Democracy Institute.
