There are media whose main value is simply the close relationship their proximity provides for and with their audiences. Local and community media are often praised for giving voice to the voiceless, namely invisible local community members. Although being largely ignored by communication researchers, these small-scale media are undoubtedly an irreplaceable part of all media systems and fulfill important functions in society (e.g. the construction of community). Compared to other types of media, they have certain distinctive features, which always made them – as existing research shows – remarkably viable and vulnerable. Despite recent studies on local journalism, community media, audience participation in public communication and the relationship between local media and local politics, much research remains to be done with regard to the fundamental questions regarding media and closeness. These include : What are the contemporary local and community media functions in society ? How has the contemporary media development transformed local and community media, and more broadly media closeness ? How, if at all, has the priorities of audiences regarding local and community media changed ? These and similar questions are among the main concerns of the Media and closeness ECREA pre-conference. To stimulate further international academic discussion in this area, we expect to publish the best papers as part of a special issue or edited book.
CONFERENCE TOPICS INCLUDE
Local media and local journalism specifics
New trends in local journalism
Local media organizations´ development
Local and community journalists
Local audiences
Community and media
Local politics, local economy and media
New media and locality
ABSTRACTS
Empirically-based abstracts outlining the topic, as well as the theoretical and methodological approach, should not exceed 500 words and should include short contact details (name, affiliation, email). The abstracts will be subject to a peer review process and should be submitted to the following email address : cisarova@fss.muni.cz.
DEADLINES
Deadline for submission of abstracts : 30 April 2016
Notification of acceptance : 31 May 2016
Registration : 15 September 2016 (30 June 2016 for early bird fee)
Pre-conference : 8 November 2016
VENUE
The pre-conference will take place at Autoklub ?R, Opletalova 29, Praha 1.
CONTACT
Lenka Waschkova Cisarova Department of Media Studies and Journalism Masaryk University Brno, Czech Republic cisarova@fss.muni.cz
CONFERENCE DEADLINES AND FEES
— Early bird (till 30 June 2016) —
ECREA members : 50 euro
Students : 55 euro
Other : 60 euro
— Standard (till 15 September 2016) —
ECREA members : 60 euro
Students : 65 euro
Other : 70 euro
Registration fee includes : admission to all sessions, coffee breaks, lunch.
