Digital Local Public Sphere and Local Communication Online: A Comparative Study of Four European countries

Project Information

LocalCom

Grant agreement ID: 796918

DOI

10.3030/796918

Project closed

EC signature date 23 February 2018

Start date 22 February 2019

End date 21 February 2021

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Total cost

€ 195 454,80

EU contribution

€ 195 454,80

Coordinated by

CANTERBURY CHRIST CHURCH UNIVERSITY LTD
United Kingdom

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - LocalCom (Digital Local Public Sphere and Local Communication Online: A Comparative Study of Four European countries)

Reporting period: 2019-02-22 to 2021-02-21

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The LocalCom project aimed to conduct a comparative study involving four European countries (Italy, Norway, Poland and the UK) on the democratic potentials and challenges of local communication online and contribute to our understanding of local communities and local communication in the digital age. The Localcom study is unique investigating how digital technologies and new communication patterns influence the local public administration and local public sphere in different social and political systems. The topic is important as digital technologies are transforming fundamentally how local communities communicate and function. As such the study benefits local government officials, business (especially in media sectors), activists, representatives of non-governmental organisations and citizens.

The results showed that coordinate actions between key stakeholders regarding the use of new information and communication technologies could result in ‘smart regions’ with active digital local public sphere. However, despite the rapid development of digital communication, not all local spaces are fully exploiting the potential of ICTs. The study identified four key barriers: low acceptance of digital technologies by members of the communities and lack of trust of citizens; limited cooperation between local administrations, businesses and other stakeholders; ageing population and associated problem of digital exclusion; low levels of uses of key actors.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The first phase of the Project focused on designing the conceptual framework for the digital local public sphere. The second phase covered both qualitative (in-depth interviews) and quantitative research (including content analysis of online sites). A comparative analysis has been carried out of the following regions: Lower Silesia (Poland), Kent (UK), Viken (Norway) and Marche (Italy).

Work performed during LocalCom lifetime enriched the scientific field in terms of the new knowledge based on the comparative analysis. Moreover the project brought practical solutions for building dynamic public sphere at the local level. The framework identified five core issues for the development of local public sphere in the digital age, which were analysed in detail during the research:
1) Digitalisation of public administration platforms
2) Existence of local information platforms/portals
3) Existence of platforms of community groups and local organisations
4) Extent and the ways in which traditional local media moved to digital space
5) Need for audiences to be familiar with digital technologies

Findings from the research were disseminated to both the academic research community as well as non-academic beneficiaries. The findings and recommendations of the project argued that a successful digital strategy for communication management at the local level requires coordinated action between local administrations, businesses, media outlets and non-governmental organisations. The implementation of the proposed solutions and actions could lead to the following results:
•minimising digital exclusion and increasing inhabitants’ participation in community life,
•increasing the quality of life of citizens, and consequently improving the image of public administration,
•increasing the use of modern IT tools in communication,
•increasing the level of transparency and public participation,
•upgrading the region’s IT infrastructure and standardising the solutions used,
•improving the quality of communication between local administration and media outlets,
•improving strategic communication management standards,
•intensifying research on the development of the information society especially in case of local public sphere.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Findings of the research not only benefit academic research but also have potential impact on non academic users especially for communities in relatively new democracies, such as Poland. The project found that local public sphere structures vary across Europe, and we can clearly see different ways of strengthening citizens’ trust in local authorities and the creation of platforms of public dialogue that shape contemporary local communities in different countries. However, a common feature is that public trust and social dialogue are the essential principles of community communication across all communities. The project highlighted that these principles are key in developing effective digital communication platforms to meet the needs of modern local societies.

The research identified critical challenges facing digital local public sphere and emphasised the importance of building strong structures of local democracy, strengthening public participation and improving the quality of communication between the public and private spheres. The framework and policy recommendations elaborated in the project are expected to contribute significantly to the current scientific understanding of the fate and effects of digital technologies on local public sphere, which are going through transformation and a dynamic field.

Furthermore, the work carried out in the LocalCom project addressed emerging societal needs at regional level. As a result of the activities carried out as part of the project during conferences, interviews, meetings and workshops with representatives from local administrations and businesses new solutions regarding e-strategic communication structure for improving the quality of digital local public were identified. The LocalCom study found and highlighted new concerns regarding e-health communication in local context. This led the Experienced Researcher to set up an international consortium of scientists and practitioners who will run a new funded research project (REINITIALISE) on that topic for the next three years. The Experienced Researcher together with the IT specialists is also planning to design special APPS for local communities which will be dedicated to e-health communication. Overall, the study and its findings contribute towards European policy objectives and strategies and has an impact on smart local communes policy making. The findings of the LocalCom project provides practical solutions for cooperative activities between local administrations, businesses, media outlets and NGOs to improve public information quality and for increasing community participation in public discourse.

ORGANISATION OF THE WORKSHOP FOR JURNALISTS AND JOURNALISM STUDENTS ABOUT DIGITAL LOCAL PUBLIC SPHER

LOCALCOM POSTER

Participation in the European Researchers Night

VISIT TO MARCHE REGION - INTERVIEWS

LOCALCOM PROJECT PRESENTATION (SAMPLE SLIDES)

PARTICIPATION IN MECCSA CONFERENCE

LOCALCOM PROJECT PRESENTATION (SAMPLE SLIDES)

LOCALCOM POSTER

PARTICIPATION IN POLITICAL COMMUNICATION ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE

ORGANISATION OF THE LOCALCOM FIRST WORKSHOP DURING DIGITAL MEDIA CONFERENCE

PARTICIPATION IN NVIVO TRAINING

ORGANISATION OF THE LOCALCOM SECOND WORKSHOP DURING COMMUNICATION ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE

PARTICIPATION IN GLOBAL FUSION CONFERENCE