Call for Papers: Media and Geopolitics in the Arab World

The Arab world stands at the intersection of shifting global alliances, prolonged conflicts, and the rise of new powers competing for influence across the Middle East. Media plays a pivotal role in this dynamic environment—not only as a mirror reflecting events but also as an active participant shaping narratives, identities, and public opinion.

For its 40th issue, Arab Media & Society invites scholars, researchers, and practitioners to submit contributions that critically interrogate the nexus between media and geopolitics in the Arab world. Submissions should be theoretically informed and/or empirically grounded, addressing how media institutions, journalists, communicators, and audiences engage with, resist, or reproduce geopolitical agendas.

Objectives

• Explore the role of media in war, conflict, and crisis coverage in the Arab world.
• Analyze soft power strategies, nation branding, and cultural diplomacy through media.
• Examine transformations in media ownership, power structures, and global platform influence.
• Investigate new forms of digital activism, censorship, surveillance, and diaspora media.
• Highlight cross-cutting themes such as climate change, migration, gender, religion, and technology in Arab media geopolitics.

Topics of Interest

• War, Conflict, and Crisis Coverage
• AI and algorithmic mediation of war coverage.
• Soft Power and Nation BrandingInfluencers and digital diplomacy.
• Arabic-language global networks shaping international narratives.
• Shifting Media Ownership and Power Structures
• Privatization and consolidation of Arab media.
• Role of sovereign wealth funds, corporations, and foreign investors.
• Cross-border media influence and satellite geopolitics.
• Global technology platforms as geopolitical actors.
• New Forms of Communicating Politics

Eligibility Criteria

Open to scholars, researchers, journalists, and practitioners working on media and geopolitics in the Arab region.
Submissions must be original, unpublished work.

Deadline: December 1, 2025

For more information and to apply, please click here.