Call for Papers: Shaping Narratives – Media and Conflict in the Arab World

The Arab Media & Society, the biannual journal of the Kamal Adham Center for Television and Digital Journalism in the School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the American University in Cairo, is seeking submissions for their next issue on “Media and Conflict”.

Issue 38 of Arab Media & Society aims to examine the role of media—both traditional and digital—through the lens of conflict in the Arab world. As such, they seek to explore the intersections of traditional and digital media with technology, ideology, and geopolitics by encouraging submissions that address how various forms of media (re)shape conflict narratives, media practices, and public engagement with war and conflict.

Themes and Topics of Interest

Submissions may address the following themes, which aims to provide a broad framework for investigating media and conflict in the Arab world. Please note, this list of suggestions is not exhaustive. Submissions may be qualitative or quantitative as we encourage interdisciplinary approaches and critical analyses.

• The role of media in (re)framing conflict narratives: How do different media platforms shape narratives involving war and conflict in the Arab world? What are the dominant frames and how do they influence public opinion and/or policy decisions?
• Propaganda and disinformation in the media: How are state and non-state actors exploiting media to disseminate disinformation, propaganda, and psychological warfare? What tools are employed to manipulate public opinion and fuel conflict through traditional and/or digital platforms?
• Citizen journalism and grassroots media in conflict zones: What role do citizen journalists and alternative media outlets play in documenting and reporting conflicts? How do they challenge or reinforce official narratives and what impact do they have on the public’s perception of conflict?
• Ethical and legal challenges of reporting conflict: What are the ethical considerations for journalists, activists, ordinary citizens, and media outlets when documenting conflict? How do legal frameworks in the Arab world impact the ability of media to report on conflicts freely and accurately?
• The visual economy of war: How do images of violence, suffering, and resistance circulate through various media platforms? What are their psychological, cultural, and political impacts on audiences? How does the visual representation of war differ between traditional and digital media?
• Social media and the mobilisation of conflict actors: How are social media platforms used by conflict actors to mobilise support, recruit fighters, and spread ideological messages? What role do digital networks play in (re)shaping the strategies of both state and non-state actors in conflict zones?
• Media coverage of humanitarian crises in conflict: How do media platforms cover the humanitarian aspects of conflict, such as displacement, refugee crises, and human rights violations? How do these platforms contribute to or detract from international humanitarian interventions?
• Safety in conflict zones: How has the rise of digital media impacted the safety and security of journalists, citizens, activists, and media workers in conflict zones? What new risks do digital platforms pose and what strategies can be employed to mitigate these risks?
• Media, public trust, and conflict: How do media platforms influence public trust in media outlets during times of conflict? How do audiences navigate misinformation and disinformation? What strategies can be employed to restore trust in conflict reporting?
• Gender and conflict reporting through media: How is the gendered dimension of conflict represented in media? What challenges do female journalists and activists face in reporting on conflict? How is the impact of conflict on women and marginalised groups portrayed?

Suggested Areas of Research

• The role of media in shaping narratives of war and conflict.
• The authority of official/alternative narratives in conflict reporting.
• The circulation of propaganda and disinformation via media during conflict.
• The role of citizen journalism and alternative media in conflict zones.
• The ethical dilemmas in reporting conflict.
• The visual representation of war and violence across media platforms.
• The use of media for the mobilisation of conflict actors.
• Humanitarian crises and the coverage of atrocities by media.
• The impact of digital media on journalistic safety in conflict zones.
• Public relations and crisis/conflict news management.
• The public trust/distrust in media during times of conflict.
• Gendered reporting of conflict across media.
• Censorship and media freedom in Arab conflict zones.
• The role of media in post-conflict peacebuilding efforts.
• The use of dehumanising language or demonizing adversaries via media.
• The role of media as it pertains to inciting conflict and fostering peace and reconciliation.
• The role of diaspora and exile communities in shaping media narratives.
• The rise of disinformation and its impact on conflict resolution.
• Comparative analysis of traditional versus digital media in covering Arab conflicts.
• The intersection of media, ethics, and law in conflict reporting.

Submission guidelines

Authors interested in submitting their research for peer-review consideration must submit manuscripts by January 15, 2025.

Other submissions, including book and conference reviews, shorter (non-peer reviewed) research papers, and columns, should be submitted by January 31, 2025.

. For more information and to submit, please click here.