A global research hub for media, journalism and power
The Media and Journalism Research Center is an independent think tank working to improve the quality of media policymaking and the state of independent media and journalism — through research, knowledge sharing and financial support. MJRC continues the work of the Center for Media, Data & Society (CMDS), which until October 2022 operated as a unit of Central European University.
What we do
Four pillarsResearch is our core activity — everything else grows out of it: teaching, policy engagement and advisory work for the people who make and contest media rules.
Independent research on media and power
We seek to improve the quality of media policymaking and the state of independent media and journalism through research, knowledge sharing and financial support. Our questions are set by the field, not by a funder.
The impact of policy on practice
We research how media and information policy shapes society and, in particular, journalism. Alongside our own projects, we partner with think tanks, academics and journalists on joint research and investigations. Read more in our 2026–2028 strategy.
Teaching what the research finds
We use our research to teach and explain media policy, running courses and workshops at a dozen universities worldwide, providing training and organizing exchanges through lectures and conferences. We carry findings into policy debates and share expertise with practitioners, experts and civil society.
Analysis for regulators and market players
We provide expert analysis on policy and legal developments, plus data and information on media and journalism. Our reporting includes:
- Bespoke analysis — firsthand accounts of political change, regulation and policy developments
- Country profiles and comparative reports on regulatory frameworks and trends
- Data on funding and ownership in media and journalism
How the center operates
MJRC was established in 2022 by media scholar and journalist Marius Dragomir, continuing the body of research he previously led as director of the Center for Media, Data & Society.
The center is operated by Media and Journalism Research Center OÜ, a company registered in Estonia and structured as a social enterprise. Its activities are funded through a mix of research grants, philanthropic contributions and commercial revenue, and all profits are reinvested into independent research projects.
To date, MJRC has implemented research projects financed by or with funding from the organizations below.
Funders & research partners
A selectionA selection of the main organizations that have financed or supported MJRC research projects to date.
Resources
Strategy documents, annual reports and the people behind the work.
Partnerships & collaborations
We work with research groups, alliances and networks whose reach and expertise complement our own.
Invest in independent media research and join a community of practice.
MJRC takes no government money — so the questions we chase are set by the field, not by a funder. A contribution keeps our research and global analysis independent, and buys you a seat closer to the work: early access to new findings, invitations to small-group briefings, a place in our Supporters Circle, and the option to be listed on our Supporters Page.