[Air-L] CfP: Media Systems under Pressure: Recent Developments in Media Freedom in Central and Eastern Europe

[Mariëlle W.]

Call for papers

*Media Systems under Pressure*

*Recent Developments in Media Freedom in Central and Eastern Europe*

18 May 2018, University of Amsterdam



Organisers

Sudha Rajagopalan, University of Amsterdam

Mariëlle Wijermars, University of Helsinki



*Abstract deadline*: 18 March 2018



Across Central and Eastern Europe, media systems are increasingly under
pressure. The developments that place restrictions on the freedom of media,
or threaten to do so in the near future, take various forms. On the one
hand, (semi-)authoritarian regimes in, e.g., Russia strengthen their hold
over media industries. Promoted under the banner of protecting national
values and political stability, neoconservative tendencies are also being
translated into strict media regulation in EU members states, such as
Hungary and Poland. On the other hand, the reliability of news and
information providers has been significantly compromised in recent years as
a result of fake news and Russian disinformation campaigns. At the same
time, European responses to these threats equally place pressure on the
protection of fundamental human rights, such as the right to information,
media freedom and privacy. To some extent, freedom of speech and
information is perceived as a potential threat to national security (e.g.,
spread of extremist ideology, terrorism) or societal values (e.g.,
information concerning abortion, LGBT rights, pornography)



The workshop aims to bring together international scholars and media
professionals to discuss the following questions: How can we formulate
effective responses to these manifold challenges that media systems in
Central and Eastern Europe face today? To what extent are these
developments country or region specific, or should they be seen as part of
wider European and global trends? What is the role of governments, media,
NGOs, and activists in shaping media and information spheres in the region
(in both a negative and positive sense)?



We invite contributions from academics and media professionals that
explore, among others, the following topics:


·       Neoconservatism and media regulation

·       Policy responses to fake news, disinformation, ‘information warfare’

·       The impact of anti-terrorism measures on media freedom and privacy

·       Conservative activism

·       Progressive activism



To apply, please send a 300 word abstract and brief biographical statement
to Mariëlle Wijermars (marielle.wijermars[at]helsinki.fi) by 18 March 2018.
The organisers intend to publish revised versions of selected papers as
part of a special issue.



This workshop is organized by ARTES research group ‘Participatory Cultures:
Post-Socialist New Media Practices’ (University of Amsterdam), the Center
for Ukrainian Cultural Studies (University of Amsterdam) and the ‘Russian
Media Lab: Freedom of Speech and Critical Journalism in Russia’ project
(Aleksanteri Institute, University of Helsinki).