IAMCR Preconference/Special Issue Information, Communication and Society

Editor in Chief: Brian Loader

Guest Editors: Bruce Mutsvairo (University of Technology Sydney), Massimo Ragnedda (Northumbria University) and Kristin Skare Orgeret (Oslo Metropolitan University)

Era or Error of Transformation? Assessing Afrocentric Attributes of Digitalisation

While the continent of Africa has long been depicted as economically and socially underdeveloped compared with other parts of the world, the potential of its peoples, natural resources and nations has always been recognised. In recent years however, it is the transformative capacity of digital communications media, particularly mobile phones, for young urbanised populations that is seen as heralding sustainable socio-economic growth and political stability. This special issue of Information, Communication & Society is intended to throw a rare and critical light upon these claims by examining how new media may be changing the everyday lives of Africans. It will also seek to understand the implications of these technological changes for nation-states within the wider geo-political context of post-colonial relations and the emergence of China as a major investor. What barriers, challenges or possibilities exist for digital literacy, human rights, democratic governance, business innovation and digital access? The special issue will address, although not exclusively, such questions as:

· Can African economic and social development leapfrog other countries by adopting broadband and mobile technologies?

· What possibilities are available to tame digital disparities in Africa?

· What are the implications of social media networking for gender, sexuality, race, class and identity politics?

· How do demographic, cultural and socio-economic inequalities influence the way Africans access (first level of digital divide), use (second level of digital divide) and benefit from ICTs (third level of digital divide)?

· Is there evidence for digital media transforming health care practices and outcomes?

· What innovative methods are being used to provide citizens with access to critical information, which could help improve their lives?

· Is social media influencing political engagement and activism?

· In what ways have anti-social media regulatory frameworks including Internet shutdowns affected citizens?

Accepted papers will be presented in an IAMCR preconference at Madrid 2019 before being considered for publication in a special issue of Information, Communication and Society in 2020.

Please send your abstract (between 300 and 500 words) and brief bio to [log in to unmask] and in CC, [log in to unmask] and [log in to unmask]

Deadlines and important dates

Abstract submission deadline: 15 March 2019

Notification on submitted abstracts: 30 March 2019

Date of Preconference: 6 July 2019

Time: 9am

Venue: To be determined

Article submission deadline: 1 February 2020

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Massimo Ragnedda

Senior Lecturer in Mass Communication

Squires Building 306f, Northumbria University, NE8 1ST Newcastle (UK)

Tel: 01912437444

Most recent books:

Massimo Ragnedda and Bruce Mutsvairo, eds (2018) Digital Inclusion. An International Comparative Analysis, Lexington Books.

Massimo Ragnedda and Glenn Muschert, eds (2018) Theorizing Digital Divide, Routledge

Massimo Ragnedda (2017) The Third Digital Divide: A Weberian approach to digital inequalities, Routledge.