*CFP* "MEDIA AND THE FAR-RIGHT", SPECIAL EDITION, FOR(E)DIALOGUE JOURNAL

In recent years, there has been a clear increase in the dissemination of exclusionary discourses in the public sphere worldwide, articulated in part by prominent figures on the right and far-right wings of international politics. Given the appetite for these ideas, evident from the widespread rise of conservative and populist values in society and the numerous voters opting for far-right political parties in Europe and beyond, many politicians and activists have adopted an openly hostile stance against minorities, challenging minority rights and championing restrictive social policies. Established news media outlets have a complex relationship with far-right and radical actors, often contributing to the mainstreaming of said actors and their beliefs, despite ostensibly adopting critical stances against them. Far-right actors have attacked the credibility of these mainstream media outlets and networks, gravitating increasingly towards alternative ‘news outlets’, such as websites, blogs, forums and social media platforms. At the same time, for over two decades, far-right actors and groups have utilised online communication structures to build their networks, gain visibility, recruit members and spread mis/disinformation through channels that are almost impossible to trace, audit or moderate. The mobilisation of Trump supporters in recent months is one example of this, with radicalisation and organisation taking place via forums, messaging services, and a variety of extremist websites and online spaces, culminating in a violent assault on the US Capitol.

We seek contributions at the intersection of Media, Criminology and Sociology (as well as other fields of research) for a special edition of For(e)dialogue, the early career and doctoral journal of the University of Leicester’s School of Media, Communication and Sociology.

We welcome abstracts of up to 300 words for articles, photo essays, video narratives, and think pieces, focusing but not limited to, topics such as:

• Far-Right in the/and the media 
• The rise and evolution of the Far-Right globally 
• Alt-Right and white supremacy online/offline 
• Organisational forms of the Far-Right online/offline 
• Social media and the Far-Right 
• Social media and algorithmic censorship 
• Alt/Far-Right: the instrumentalisation of post-truth, disinformation and conspiracy theories 
• Far-Right mobilisation in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic 
• Far-Right and anti-migration politics 
• Online gaming and the Far- Right 
• (Digital) Counter cultures: Antifascist / human rights / feminist movements 
• Reporting on minority issues and diversity in the media 
• Methodological approaches and ethics in the research of the Far-Right

 

We would encourage single or co-authored submissions in the following formats:

1. Research papers (up to 6,000 words) 
2. Opinion & analysis articles (up to 2,000 words) 
3. Photo essays* (up to 20 images) 
4. Book reviews (between 800 - 1000 words) 
5. Video essays (up to 20’ long)**

 

* Note on photo essays:  Please include captions with all pictures and a short narrative (500 words or less) to precede and set up your photo essay. A photo essay is primarily a narrative tool. Each image should convey a message while the whole should also tell a story.

**Note on video narratives/presentations: To ensure accessibility we ask that all submitted files include captions, a full transcript, and audio description.

 

Please send your submissions to Ms. Christina Verousi (cv67@leicester.ac.uk) or Dr. Nerina Boursinou (mnb7@le.ac.uk). If you want to discuss an idea or make enquiries, please feel free to contact either or us.

 

 

Important deadlines

Submission of abstracts: 17th March 2021

Notifications of acceptance: 28th March 2021

Submission of full papers for peer-review: 1st August 2021

Decisions and peer-review feedback: 1st November 2021

Submissions of revised articles: 10th January 2022