by Lori Šramel Čebular, Peace Institute, Ljubljana
The first Citizens‘ Parliament on Media and Democracy in Slovenia was held on Saturday, 15 March 2025, bringing together 20 citizens to deliberate on critical issues concerning the media landscape and the democratic system in Slovenia. Organized by the Peace Institute within the MeDeMAP project, the first session of the Citizens’ Parliament featured an expert presentation by Prof. Dr. Gorazd Kovačič from the Faculty of Arts, and Lenart Kučić, Media Adviser to the Minister of Culture. Following the presentation, participants engaged in discussions to identify the most pressing challenges related to the main themes of the parliament – media system and regulation, media representations and media participation. The identified issues will be further discussed at the next sessions of the Citizens’ Parliament leading to agreement on the joint resolutions.
Democracy between participation and the interests of the capital
In the heart of Ljubljana, 20 participants from across Slovenia – diverse in age, gender, and background – gathered for a discussion on media and democracy. The day began with introductions, revealing a rich mix of perspectives shaped by different backgrounds and experiences. As the conversation unfolded, the moderators, Julija Marošek and Brankica Petković, set the first question for the debate: What is democracy for you?
For many it indicates cooperation, freedom of speech, and participation, however citizens’ also view it as a flawed ideal – one that promises power to the people yet often falls short, serving the interests of a select few. Through a critical lens, participants questioned whether democracy truly functions in its current form, especially highlighting the negative connotations often associated with parliamentary parties, therefore laying the foundation for a discussion on the media’s role that followed.
Flipcharts produced during the Citizens‘ Parliament
Insights from experts: unpacking the role of media in democracy
Following the initial discussion, the exploration of media and democracy continued with presentations by two experts in the field. Prof. Dr. Gorazd Kovačič from the Faculty of Arts at the University of Ljubljana provided a historical analysis of democracy, emphasizing the evolving role of media in shaping political processes. Complementing this perspective, Lenart Kučić, Media Adviser to the Minister for Culture in Slovenia, offered insights into the ongoing development of the new Media Law in Slovenia. His presentation focused on the complexities of media legislation, highlighting the challenges and diverse interests surrounding regulatory reforms in the contemporary media system.
Participants posed questions to the experts, seeking deeper insights. Central to the conversation were questions such as: What recommendations do you have for navigating today’s media environment? Which media outlets should we trust and follow? and crucially, will social media platforms be held accountable under the new media law? These questions not only reflected the concerns but also highlighted the need for practical guidance in an increasingly complex media world.
Key issues across the three main topics
The group work in a World Café setting facilitated discussions among citizens on three thematic areas – media system and regulation, media representations, and media participation – and proved to be one of the most intriguing aspects of the Citizens’ Parliament. During these discussions, participants were not only able to identify key issues within the media landscape, but also to actively decide which topics would warrant further exploration in future sessions. Issues such as poor media literacy, lack in media ownership transparency, and the lack of pluralism in media voices – especially women’s voices – were only a few topics that emerged as focal points for future dialogue.
All the identified issues will take center stage in upcoming sessions of the Citizens’ Parliament, starting with the next session on 29 March when citizens will address the topic of media systems and regulation.