Call for Papers: Media Transformation and the Public Sphere in Arab Media

Deadline: 05-Oct-2026

Arab Media & Society is inviting scholarly submissions for Issues 42 & 43, a special issue focused on “Media Transformation and the Public Sphere.” The issue examines how digital technologies, social media, streaming, podcasts, influencers, AI, entertainment, sports, and crisis communication are transforming Arab media, public debate, political communication, and cultural identity.

About the Special Issue

Arab Media & Society is dedicating its Summer/Fall 2026 Issues 42 & 43 to the theme “Media Transformation and the Public Sphere.” The special issue explores how rapid changes in media technologies and communication practices are reshaping the Arab public sphere. Particular attention is given to how audiences create, consume, share, and respond to information across increasingly digital and platform-driven media environments. The issue welcomes research examining both technological changes and their wider implications for: The Arab public sphere refers broadly to the spaces and communication environments where people in Arab societies discuss public issues, exchange ideas, form opinions, and participate in cultural and political debates. These spaces have expanded beyond traditional newspapers, television, radio, and other legacy media. Today, public communication increasingly takes place through: The special issue seeks to understand how these developments are changing who participates in public discussion, who has influence, and how information circulates. Key Research Themes Contributors may explore a broad range of topics related to media transformation in the Arab world. Digital and Mobile Communication Research may examine how smartphones, social networks, messaging platforms, and other digital technologies are changing communication practices.

Possible areas include:

Mobile-first media consumption Digital political discussion Online communities Platform-based public debate Changing patterns of information sharing Digital participation across Arab societies Legacy Media and Platform-Native Media The issue welcomes research comparing traditional media organizations with newer forms of platform-native communication.

Researchers may examine:

Newspapers and digital journalism Television and streaming Traditional broadcasters adapting to social media Digital-native news organizations Platform algorithms and media visibility Changes in journalistic authority Entertainment and Popular Culture Entertainment is increasingly becoming a space where social, cultural, and political issues are discussed. Sports can play an important role in shaping public conversations and national or regional identities.

Research may investigate:

Sports journalism Athletes as public figures Sports fandom and political expression Sports-related nationalism Political communication through sporting events The relationship between sports, media, and public identity Creators, Influencers and New Communicative Authorities The growth of social media has created new forms of influence outside traditional media institutions.

The special issue welcomes research on:

Content creators Social media influencers Digital celebrities Online commentators Alternative information sources Creator-led political communication Changing relationships between audiences and communicators A key question is how these actors acquire credibility and authority in an environment where traditional media no longer exclusively controls public communication. Audience Participation and Fan Cultures Audiences are increasingly active participants rather than passive media consumers. Digital communication during political instability Misinformation and uncertainty Journalism under difficult conditions Public communication during regional crises Researchers may explore how changing media environments affect the production, distribution, and consumption of information during periods of instability. Political Discussion in New Media Formats The special issue is particularly interested in how political discussion is moving into new formats.

Potential areas include:

Political podcasts Short-form video Livestreaming Social media discussions Creator-led political commentary Digital interviews Online debates Platform-based political communities These formats may create new opportunities for political participation while also introducing challenges involving misinformation, polarization, algorithmic visibility, and audience fragmentation. Research Approaches and Methodologies The call is not limited to a particular research method. The issue welcomes both theoretically informed and empirically grounded research.

Potential approaches may include:

Qualitative research Quantitative research Comparative media research Digital ethnography Platform analysis Audience research Content analysis Discourse analysis Social media analysis Case studies Mixed-method research Submissions discussing innovative research designs and methods for studying media transformation in the Arab world are also encouraged. Who Should Submit? The call is relevant to researchers and scholars studying areas such as: Contributions should have a clear connection to media transformation and the Arab public sphere. Why This Special Issue Matters The transformation of Arab media is not simply a technological development. It is changing how public conversations are created, distributed, and experienced. The emergence of social platforms, creators, streaming services, podcasts, and AI-assisted communication has diversified the actors participating in public discourse. At the same time, these changes raise important questions about: Who controls visibility? Who is considered credible? How are public opinions formed? How does political debate change across platforms? How do audiences participate? How does AI affect communication and trust? How do crises reshape media practices? How are cultural identities negotiated in digital spaces? The special issue provides an opportunity to e