[bestbits] ICA Pre-conference: Media and Governance in Latin America

[Becky Lentz]

>CALL FOR PAPERS
>
>We are very pleased to announce that the call for papers for the
>official ICA Preconference MediaandGovernancein Latin America *is now
>open*.
>
>*ICA Pre-Conference Media and Governance in Latin America: **Towards a
>Plurality of Voices*
>
>24 May 2018 (Prague, Czech Republic)
>
>68^th Annual International Conference Association (ICA)
>
>*Description:*
>
>The purpose of this pre-conference is to promote an intellectual
>exchange on the way the media interact with social, political, symbolic
>and technological changes in Latin America. More precisely, this
>preconference will analyze the role of the media in enabling the
>expression of a plurality of voices in the region. This ability is
>conditioned by existing communicational and structural legacies; by
>naturalized interactions between social political actors and
>institutions; by media policies and journalistic routines, as well as by
>the impact of digital and technological developments. We welcome
>submissions that explore innovative theoretical and methodological
>approaches to the role of the media in promoting pluralism.
>
>The conference will explore the relationship between media and
>governance from a range of fields in social sciences and humanities,
>such as journalism studies, political communication, global
>communication, digital media, LGBT studies, political science, of
>discourse analysis, among others. We are interested in presentations
>that address, but are not limited to, the following topics:
>
>€ *Theories and Methods: *To which extent can comparative studies
>reinvigorate academic debates beyond the region? How can scholars build
>stronger theoretical and methodological tools for overcoming the ³case
>study² fixation? What are the similarities and differences between the
>study of media and governance in Latin America and in the Global South?
>How can Latin American scholarship contribute to de-westernize media
>studies?
>
>€ *Media Systems, Pluralism, and Good Governance: *Are current media
>systems in the region fostering or hindering the expression of a
>plurality of voices? What is the relationship between media, governance
>and the promotion of a plural debate? How are the news media interacting
>with the state, the private sector, civil society and the public for the
>promotion of a plural debate? What is the role of the media in
>overcoming pervasive phenomena that hinder good governance, such as
>censorship, clientelism, populism, or the concentration of media
>ownership?
>
>€ *Media and Political Representation: *What journalistic practices and
>organizational dynamics favor the inclusion of a plurality of voices in
>Latin America? How are the news media addressing topics that affect good
>governance in the region, such as violence, inequality, or corruption?
>To which extent are digital communication platforms incorporating
>previously marginalized themes (such as racial, gender and class-based
>inequality) and actors (indigenous communities, women, LGBT minorities)?
>Whose voices are more visible when it comes to fostering more inclusive
>media policies?
>
>€ *Communication for Social Change: *What impact are agents of change,
>such as civil society groups, having in the media visibility of a range
>of voices and issues? How are online and offline digital platforms being
>used for giving voice and empowering previously marginalized
>communities? What is the impact of digital technologies and Internet
>access on social inequality, and how is the informational gap being
>addressed in the region?
>
>*Goals:*
>
>The main purpose of this pre-conference is to promote an intellectual
>debate on the role of the news media in the promotion of good governance
>in Latin America. By bringing together senior scholars and young
>researchers, this initiative seeks to provide a space of exchange about
>the theoretical and methodological relevance of current debates. This
>pre-conference aims to address academic debates in the field of global
>media, media and development, and the de-westernization of media
>studies. We are sure that it will provide a forum of exchange for
>scholars from all over the world, and will provide them the opportunity
>to discuss theoretical and methodological approaches, country-based case
>studies, comparative projects and academic collaborations in a
>multi-disciplinary setting.
>
>*Keynote Speakers:*
>
>*Silvio Waisbord *(George Washington University, United States).
>
>*Rafael Obregón *(Communication for Development Section, UNICEF, United
>States).
>
>*Florencia Enghel *(Stockholm University, Sweden).
>
>*Martín Becerra *(Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, Argentina).
>
>*Submission Process and attendance:*
>
>The abstracts (350 words max) should be emailed to
>*conference.mediagovla at gmail.com
><mailto:conference.mediagovla at gmail.com> *by *January 30th*, 2018.
>Authors will be informed of acceptance/rejection decisions no later than
>February 10th, 2018. Accepted abstracts will be posted to the
>preconference website in advance. Authors are expected to attend the
>preconference and present in person.
>
>Full papers of accepted abstracts that the author(s) wishes to be
>considered for publication should be submitted by 30th April, 2018 at:
>*conference.mediagovla at gmail.com
><mailto:conference.mediagovla at gmail.com>*. Paper submission details will
>be provided at a later date. Following the preconference, selected
>papers will be invited to contribute to a peer-reviewed thematically
>arranged volume to be submitted to an international publisher.
>
>Please direct questions on submissions or any aspect of the preconference
>to
>
>*conference.mediagovla at gmail.com <mailto:conference.mediagovla at gmail.com>*
>
>For more information, please visit the official website:
>
>*https://conferences.leeds.ac.uk/mgla2018
><https://conferences.leeds.ac.uk/mgla2018/>*
>
>*Special note: *
>
>The cycle of conferences ŒMedia and Governance in Latin America¹ was
>created in 2014. The three editions of 'Media and Governance' have
>brought together over one hundred researchers in digital media, citizen
>media, investigative journalism and democratization. The conference has
>built a strong network of debate and has led to meaningful research
>collaborations. Furthermore, it has enhanced the role of British
>universities as a meeting ground for academics based in Europe and the
>Americas.
>
>*Organizers:*
>
>Ximena Orchard (Universidad Alberto Hurtado, Chile).
>
>Sara Garcia Santamaría (University of Sheffield, United Kingdom).
>
>J.A. Brambila (University of Leeds, United Kingdom).
>
>Jairo Lugo-Ocando (University of Leeds, United Kingdom).
>
>*Institutional allies:*
>
>School of Media and Communication, University of Leeds, United Kingdom.
>
>Departamento de Periodismo, Universidad Alberto Hurtado, Chile