[Air-L] CFP - Fringe democracy and platformization of the public sphere (special issue ComPol)
Laura Iannelli
liannelli at uniss.it
Mon Jul 1 16:29:16 PDT 2024
**Call for Papers – Special Issue ComPol - Comunicazione Politica - n.
1/2025 (April 2025)**
**Title**
Fringe democracy and platformization of the public sphere
**Guest editors**
Giovanni Boccia Artieri (University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Italy)
Axel Bruns (Queensland University of Technology, Australia)
Ehsan Dehghan (Queensland University of Technology, Australia)
Laura Iannelli (University of Sassari, Italy)
**Description**
The contemporary landscape of digital communication is characterized by a
complex interplay of public, semi-public, and private spaces (Boccia
Artieri et al., 2021). These digital spaces differ in terms of visibility,
regulation, and participation, but they are interconnected through
reciprocal migration dynamics between “fringe” and mainstream digital
media. Fringe platforms (de Winkel, 2023) are alternative platform services
which explicitly contest the ideological premises and the practices of
mainstream platforms. These platforms can offer diverse types of service
(e.g., social media, streaming service, Appstore), express diverse
ideologies (e.g., far-right, anarchist, anti-authoritarian positions), and
put forward criticisms of various kinds (e.g., contesting Big Tech’s
personal data policies and accumulated power, advocating for diverse types
of moderation, requesting to give voice to disadvantaged communities) (de
Winkel, 2023; Herasimenka, 2022). These alternative digital spaces – at
once technical, cultural, and social – are connected to disinformation
ecosystems, to the spread of hate speech, and to the normalization of
populist and extremist thought (Schulze et al., 2022; Walther & McCoy,
2021). Furthermore, despite their potential ideological variety, some
scholars highlight the existence of a relationship of co-dependency and
interdependence between the rise of alternative digital spaces and the
growth of discursive forms associated with the far-right (e.g., Marwick et
al., 2022; Schulze et al., 2022; Törnberg & Törnberg, 2024; Urman & Katz,
2022).
For many years, fringe positions have leveraged the distribution power of
mainstream social media platforms as “neutral channels,” becoming part of
the broader public debate, altering the very nature of political
discussion, and destroying the conditions of the public sphere (Esau et
al., 2023). With the term “fringe democracy,” we refer to systems,
practices, and political movements that exist on the periphery of
traditional democratic norms and values, a “democracy from the margins”
that tends to become increasingly visible in the online public sphere
today. It can involve entities or political groups operating within a
democratic framework but advocating for extreme or unconventional
ideologies and methods of governance/participation. Fringe democracies
often challenge or diverge from established democratic principles such as
pluralism, inclusivity, respect for minority rights, and adherence to the
rule of law. The main characteristics of fringe democracy are:
- Extremist ideologies: movements or parties that may hold radical views
significantly diverging from traditional political thought, such as
ultranationalism, (anti-)authoritarianism, anarchism, or radical populism.
- Marginalization from traditional politics: marginal democratic groups
are typically sidelined from mainstream political discourse and may have
limited influence within the broader political system. They often attract a
smaller, more radicalized segment of the population.
- Questionable democratic practices: although they may participate in
democratic processes such as elections, their commitment to democratic
principles like fair play, tolerance, and dialogue may be weak. They might
employ tactics that undermine democratic institutions or the electoral
process.
- Controversial policies and rhetoric: these groups often advocate
controversial or provocative policies that can polarize society. Their
rhetoric may target specific groups, promoting division and sometimes
inciting hatred or violence.
- Potential for destabilization: by challenging the norms and values of
traditional democracy, fringe democratic movements can contribute to
political instability.
The concept of fringe democracy is increasingly linked to the
transformation driven by the platformization of the media system (van Dijck
et al., 2018), which indicates a process by which digital platforms’ logics
transform the communicative dynamics of politics and the public sphere.
In particular, the relationship between the platformization of the public
sphere and fringe democracy extends along several paths to be explored:
- Amplification of marginal voices and mobilization: Digital platforms
provide fringe groups with powerful tools to disseminate their ideologies
and messages. Social media, in particular, allows these groups to reach a
global audience, bypassing traditional “gatekeepers” such as mainstream
media and political institutions. Online platforms also enable marginal
groups to organize and mobilize more efficiently. This has led to rapid
growth and greater visibility for fringe movements, which can influence
political agendas and public discourse.
- Growth of polarization and overexposure to marginal thinking: In
digital environments, users are primarily exposed to information and
viewpoints that reinforce their existing beliefs (dynamics of filter
bubbles and echo chambers), which could accentuate polarization. This can
intensify radical opinions and make fringe ideologies appear more
widespread and accepted than they actually are in society at large.
- Disinformation and propaganda: The platformization process has
facilitated the spread of disinformation and propaganda. Fringe groups
often exploit these mechanisms to disseminate false or misleading
information, manipulate public opinion, increase the toxicity of the
discursive dimension, and discredit traditional democratic institutions and
processes.
- Global reach and creation of fringe networks: Online platforms connect
like-minded individuals across borders, allowing for the creation of
transnational fringe networks. This global reach increases their influence
and ability to share strategies, resources, and support.
- Alternative media ecosystems: Online platforms have enabled the
creation of alternative media ecosystems where fringe groups can produce
and distribute their content. These ecosystems often operate independently
of the oversight and standards of traditional media, which can lead to the
proliferation of extreme and unverified content.
- Monetization and funding: Many digital platforms offer monetization
options, such as ad revenue, crowdfunding, and donations, which fringe
groups can exploit to fund their activities. This financial support can
sustain and grow their activities beyond what would be possible with
traditional means.
In summary, the process of platformization has significantly transformed
the landscape of fringe democracy by enhancing the reach, organization, and
impact of fringe groups. Understanding these dynamics is essential for
investigating some of the central themes in political communication
studies, such as the quality of the public sphere, the influence of media
on the political agenda and mobilization practices, the relationship
between the media ecosystem and political polarization, and the processes
of mis/disinformation. However, the study of marginal groups and radical
counter-platforms that are difficult for researchers to access also poses
several methodological challenges (Jost et al., 2023; Peeters & Willaert,
2022; Rogers, 2020).
We invite submissions that address topics including, but not limited to,
the following:
- the role of fringe platforms in the platformized public sphere and in
the contemporary media ecosystem
- strategies of amplification of marginal voices and the influence of
this greater visibility on political agendas
- practices of online global mobilization and funding of marginal
radical groups
- spaces of communication consistent with fringe ideologies and
political polarization
- fringe platforms, disinformation, manipulation, incivility, and
propaganda
- narratives, imaginaries, public discussion on fringe platforms
**Information for authors**
Potential contributors should submit an extended abstract in English (1,200
words, excluding references), a 100-word bio, and the corresponding
author’s contact information. Long abstracts must be sent by July 30, 2024
to rivista at compol.it. Please indicate that the proposal is for the “special
issue 2025” in the email subject. Notifications will be communicated by 3
September 2024. After the abstracts have been selected, authors will be
invited to submit a full paper. Please note that acceptance of an abstract
does not guarantee publication, given that all papers will go through the
journal’s peer review process.
**Abstract structure**
The extended abstract should present a coherent narrative on fringe
democracy and platformization of the public sphere, while highlighting how
the authors respond to the special issue call. The abstract should clearly
describe the key questions, the theoretical and methodological approach,
the evidence presented, and the wider implications of the study. Authors
are encouraged to provide as much detail as possible about the spatial and
temporal context of their study, the research design and methods employed,
the data collected, and the main results of the analyses. For theoretical
works, the abstract should provide a clear and in-depth description of the
conceptual framework.
**Key dates**
• Deadline for extended abstract submissions: *July 30, 2024*
• Decision by issue editors sent by: *September 3, 2024*
• Full paper submissions: *November 3, 2024*
• First round of reviews completed by: *December 15, 2024*
• Resubmissions of papers: *January 15, 2025*
• Second round of reviews completed by: *January 30, 2025*
• Submission of final manuscripts: *February 15, 2025*
See the full CFP here:
https://www.rivisteweb.it/issn/1594-6061/newsdetail/393
*For further information about the submission process, please contact the
editorial team*:
Giovanni Boccia Artieri (giovanni.bocciaartieri at uniurb.it)
Axel Bruns (a.bruns at qut.edu.au)
Ehsan Dehghan (e.dehghan at qut.edu.au)
Laura Iannelli (liannelli at uniss.it)
**About the venue**
*Editor in Chief*: Augusto Valeriani (University of Bologna)
Comunicazione Politica (ComPol) – founded in 2000 and published by Il
Mulino since 2009 – is sponsored by the Italian Association of Political
Communication. It is well established among the academic and scientific
community as the leading Italian journal that studies, analyzes and
discusses the relationships between media and politics. The journal
welcomes all research methods, comparative perspectives and analytical
articles that deal with emerging political communication topics in Italy
and worldwide. ComPol aims at promoting the interdisciplinary development
of political communication scholarship by publishing contributions from
political scientists, sociologists, mass communication and new media
researchers, linguists, historians, and scholars from other disciplines. It
features research on the deep transformations that have taken place in the
electoral and political arenas in the last decades. The journal pays
special attention also to the ongoing developments in the world of
professions related to political communication: political marketing and
consultancy, public affairs, polls, media management, and the like, with
the aim of stimulating the discussion between academic research and
professional work in crucial political environments. ComPol publishes
articles both in Italian and
in English, encouraging submissions also from international scholars. All
articles undergo under blind peer-review. The journal is indexed by: Scopus
Bibliographic Database (Q2 Communication 2024), ERIH Plus, Articoli
italiani di periodici accademici (AIDA), JournalSeek, Essper, Catalogo
italiano dei periodici (ACNP), Google Scholar, Primo Central (Ex Libris),
EDS (EBSCO).
https://www.rivisteweb.it/issn/1594-6061/presentazione
**(cited) References**
Boccia Artieri, G., Brilli, S., & Zurovac, E. (2021). Below the radar:
Private groups, locked platforms, and ephemeral content—Introduction to the
special issue. Social Media+ Society, 7(1).
Esau, K., Choucair, T., Vilkins, S., Svegaard, S., Bruns, A., O'Connor
Farfan, K., & Lubicz-Zaorski, C. (2023) Destructive political polarization
in the context of digital communication: A critical literature review and
conceptual framework. In International Communication Association (ICA)
Annual Conference, issue 73
Herasimenka, A. (2022). Movement leadership and messaging platforms in
preemptive repressive settings: Telegram and the Navalny Movement in
Russia. Social Media+ Society, 8(3).
de Winkel, T. (2023). Fringe platforms: An analysis of contesting
alternatives to the mainstream social media platforms in a platformized
public sphere (Doctoral dissertation, Utrecht University)
Jost, P., Heft, A., Buehling, K., Zehring, M., Schulze, H., Bitzmann, H., &
Domahidi, E. (2023). Mapping a Dark Space: Challenges in Sampling and
Classifying Non-Institutionalized Actors on Telegram. M&K Medien &
Kommunikationswissenschaft, 71(3-4), 212-229.
Marwick, A., Clancy, B., & Furl, K. (2022). Far-Right online
radicalization: A review of the literature. The Bulletin of Technology &
Public Life.
Peeters, S., & Willaert, T. (2022). Telegram and digital methods: Mapping
networked conspiracy theories through platform affordances. M/C Journal,
25(1).
Rogers, R. (2020). Deplatforming: Following extreme Internet celebrities to
Telegram and alternative social media. European Journal of Communication,
35(3), 213-229.
Schulze, H., Hohner, J., Greipl, S., Girgnhuber, M., Desta, I., & Rieger,
D. (2022). Far-right conspiracy groups on fringe platforms: a longitudinal
analysis of radicalization dynamics on Telegram. Convergence: The
International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies, 28(4),
1103-1126.
Törnberg, A., & Törnberg, P. (2024). Intimate Communities of Hate: Why
Social Media Fuels Far-Right Extremism. Taylor & Francis.
Urman, A., Katz, S. (2022) What they do in the shadows: examining the
far-right networks on Telegram, Information, Communication & Society,
25:7,904-923.
van Dijck, J., Poell, T., de Waal, M. (2018), The Platform Society: Public
Values in a Connective World. Oxford University Press
Walther, S., McCoy, A. (2021). US extremism on Telegram: Fueling
disinformation. Conspiracy Theories, and Accelerationism. Perspectives on
Terrorism, 15(2), 100–124.
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Laura Iannelli
*Associate Professor*
Department of Economics and Business
Via Muroni, 25 - 07100 Sassari (Italy)
University of Sassari
e liannelli at uniss.it <tuonome at uniss.it>
t +39 079 228976
● https://www.ipolhys.it/en/
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