by Mary Immaculate College (MIC), Limerick
The citizens came together for the first of four Saturdays during which they will discuss the ways our media should protect democracy and the reasons why this may not always be the case.
After a briefing by experts at the start of each day, the citizens discuss the issues and formulate resolutions for what should be done to protect journalists, free speech and the public right to information so that democracy can run smoothly and not be corrupted or co-opted by undemocratic persons or forces.
The parliament is one of many taking place across Europe and the resolutions of all of these national parliaments will be presented to the European Union in March 2026 by representatives of each parliament. Two people from Limerick will join two representatives of each of the other parliaments in Brussels.
The entire project is funded by the EU through its HORIZON fund and the three year project will conclude in 2026. A huge part of that work is being done in these National Citizens’ Parliaments and the input of Limerick to the final report will have an impact across the EU.
The resolutions of the Limerick Parliament will also have an impact locally as the resolutions will be presented to Limerick City and Council and nationally as they will be presented to The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications once it is constituted.
The resolutions will also be presented to the NUJ so that journalists can learn from the people who depend on them to give them the news and to Coimisiún na Meán so that the regulator can work on policies and codes to protect citizens and journalists who seek out the truth.
If you would like to know more about this innovative and important way of accessing citizens’ opinions and making an impact on legislation, regulation and codes of practice for the media in Limerick, Ireland and Europe please log on to https://www.mic.ul.ie/MeDeMap?index=0 or email MeDeMap@mic.ul.ie.