Bringing online news a click closer Web journalism today is at its peak. Thousands of subscribers around the world visit newspapers' websites to obtain their daily news. In return, newspapers invest in their online presence strengthening with more news, entertainment, reviews, and games. With respect to those needs, the MUDIA project takes on the role to systematically inform the broadcasting industry of the new prospects and discoveries in multimedia news. Digital Economy © PhotoDisc The appetite for fast and easy-to-read news has largely over the last decade barely reached user satisfaction. In view of the growing demand for online information, the MUDIA project, a collaborative effort of experienced research institutes and international professional organisations, is set to arm news services with information on the evolving potential of multimedia technology. It primarily focuses on two main discussion areas: technological processes and new forms of consumption/production. Evidence on the role of public bodies, supply and demand in media business as well as the role of media in society are collected in MUDIA's Research Brief series. These briefs emphasis is on multimedia experiments, field surveys and trend scenarios. MUDIA collects data on the changes from the emerging digital production and distribution technologies in the multimedia news industry. It then presents it to the national and international press, policy makers and academia. In turn, they adopt measures based on that data and pursue innovative media strategies. The MUDIA project finally forms the basis for advanced working methods and novel multimedia products. More particularly, it seeks for alternative forms for reading news online, via for instance, mobile wireless technology or teletext, videotext and e-books. The aim of the project is to bring together the research and professional worlds, bridge traditional national divides, encourage joint projects and strengthen the competitiveness vis-à-vis the international multimedia industry. It is also there to ensure that the European media adapts successfully to changes in technological and business environments. In an attempt to understand the changing role of information in a digital society, the consortium conducts a variety of meetings, work sessions and conferences and provides information about related events and links to partner websites. Despite the lack of adequate resources to enable organisations to become involved in socio-economic research, MUDIA is determined to overcome any obstacles and help construct a university-based European thematic research network for continued R&D activities in this field.
