Identity, changes and challenges of the profession in the 21st Century. With the goal of gathering national and international researchers to discuss

Transcription

1 1st INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON JOURNALISM STUDIES Identity, changes and challenges of the profession in the 21st Century National and International Event Center (CENI,) University of Santiago de Chile, Santiago (Chile), June 27-29, 2012 Abstract submission deadline: December 7, 2011 With the goal of gathering national and international researchers to discuss the current state and challenges in the practice and teaching of journalism in different parts of the world, the University of Santiago de Chile, University of La Frontera, University of Chile and the Pontificial Catholic University of Valparaiso invite scholars to submit papers to the 1st International Conference on Journalism Studies. The title of the conference, which will take place in Santiago, Chile, June 27-29, 2012, is Identity, changes and challenges of the profession in the 21st Century. Keynote Speakers David Weaver. Roy W. Howard Professor, School of Journalism at Indiana University (Bloomington, IN, USA). Dr. Weaver completed his PhD at the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill, NC, USA) in 1974, after working as an editor and reporter in four newspapers in Indiana and North Carolina. He was president of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC), and of the Midwest Association for Public Opinion Research (MAPOR). He has published numerous book chapters, articles and research papers on journalistic profession, American journalists, agenda setting, international news coverage, journalism education, and research methods. His books include Media Agenda-Setting in a Presidential Election,) 1981( The American Journalist (1986), The Formation of Campaign Agendas

2 ,) 1991( The American Journalist in the 1990s (1996), The Global Journalist,) 1998( Mass Communication Research and Theory (2003), The American Journalist in the 21st Century (2007), Global Journalism Research (2008,) and The Global Journalist in the 21st Century (forthcoming.) Silvio Waisbord. Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Programs in the School of Media and Public Affairs at George Washington University. PhD in Sociology from the University of California, San Diego (1993). Dr. Waisbord is editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Press/Politics, and author of several research articles, books and book chapters on Latin American journalism, media and politics, citizens and democracy. His books include Watchdog Journalism in South America (2000), El Gran Desfile (1995), Media and Globalization: Why the State Matters (2001), Latin Politics, Global Media (2002) and Reinventing Journalism (forthcoming). His research areas include journalism and politics, media roles, and communication and development. Thomas Hanitzsch. Professor of Communication at the University of Munich, Germany. Dr. Hanitzsch completed his PhD at the Ilmenau University of Technology, Germany. He has founded of the International Communication Association's Journalism Studies Division, and presently, he is the Vice-Chair of the European Communication Research and Education Association's Journalism Studies Section. He is the current editor of Communication Theory and has published a variety of articles in international scholary journals about global journalism cultures, war communication and comparative studies. He is also the co-editor of Handbook of Journalism Studies (2009) and Handbook of Comparative Communication

3 Research (2011). His research focuses on global cultures in journalism and comparative studies. Jay Blumler. Emeritus Professor at the University of Leeds (UK) and the University of Maryland (USA), where he worked as a professor and researcher from the 1960s until the 1990s. He has a PhD in Educational Sociology from Oxford University, England. He was president of the International Communication Association. His research focuses on journalism and media studies, political communication and political campaigns. Among his books are Television in Politics: Its Uses and Influence (1969), The Uses of Mass Communications (1974), The Formation of Campaign Agendas (1991,) Comparatively Speaking: Communication and Culture across Space and Time,) 1992( The Third Age of Political Communication: Influences and Features,) 1999( The Internet and Democratic Citizenship: Theory, Practice and Policy,) 2009( and The Shape of Political Communication (forthcoming.). 1Conference Theme The conference theme focuses on the impact of the social, economic, political, technological and educational changes in the practice of journalism and its professional identity. Technological revolution, the growth in the academic offerings, as well as strong cultural, economic and political changes during the last decades have brought about several transformations, leading to a reconfiguration of the field of communication, and subsequently, the profession of journalism.

4 Today, new technologies offer a large number of tools for those who have access to them. Communicating with the public no longer requires traditional media outlets or a professional education in journalism. Several scholars believe that the process of media convergence has contributed to journalism being less distinctive, and as a result, less professionalized. At the same time, journalism schools are facing criticism for the quality of the education they provide to students, for the conceptual hybridity that exists in the field, for their low levels of productivity and generation of new knowledge, and for their poor association and impact in the professional world. During the last few years, the changes in the practice of journalism have been an important part of the research agenda. Some studies have emphasized the evolution of the press from a critical and assertive stance to a depoliticized and condescending attitude towards the official powers and the status quo. Likewise, several studies focused on a lack of objectivity in journalism, while others analyze the spectacularization and commercialization of news content, as well as the pursuit of economic profit at the expense of public service and the strengthening of democracy. In this context, the profession's reputation has been weakened, putting at risk journalism's identity, stability, credibility and distinctive value. Educators (schools) as well as institutions (news media) and practitioners (journalists and professional associations) have contributed to this

5 situation. A major problem is that the tensions that cut across the profession may fuel a crisis of democracy. The reasons that motivate this call for papers are relevant for the development and strengthening of democracy on the continent, as well as other parts of the world, where the relationship between mass media, journalism and power is central for understanding the social and cultural phenomenon that effect our societies. In a globalized world where comparative studies and the international perspective are more and more relevant for the understanding of social processes, this conference aims to contribute to the diagnosis of the state of the journalistic profession as well as of the changes that it has experienced around the world, analyzing the causes of its current state and evaluating future possibilities within the field. Specifically, the Conference aims to answer questions such as:.what is the current state of the journalistic profession today in Latin America and beyond, in terms of its contribution to democracy?.what are the concrete conditions that shape the practice of journalism?.which professional cultures are predominant within journalism?.which professional models of journalism are recognized throughout the world?.how does the increasing use of new technologies influence the social function journalist fulfills or should fulfill these days?.what changes have been observed in journalism education during

6 the last few years, and how have these changes contributed to the profession's current state?.how can university education in journalism contribute to strengthening the journalistic profession in the future?.what social images do future journalists have of the profession?.how has journalism's practice evolved in response to changing audiences?.what impact do the changes in the media industry have on journalism's form and value? To better understand journalism's changes and challenges, it is extremely important to compare what happens to journalists in different societies and cultures. In this sense, it is fundamental to address these questions and problems from approaches that take into consideration the similarities and differences of journalism around the globe. Based on some of these questions, scholars may submit paper proposals on the following research topics: -Relationships between mass media structure and journalism -Journalistic routines and practices -Professional models, functions and roles -Journalism education -Occupational profiles and labor markets -Professional orientation and levels of professionalization -Working conditions and job satisfaction -Representations and images of journalists

7 The Conference will accept research papers with either a mono-cultural, cross-cultural or cross-national focus that advance our understanding of the state of teaching and the practice of the journalistic profession, and how these changes have affected professional practice.. 2Presentation Guidelines and Deadlines The Conference will be bilingual, with simultaneous translation. Researchers may therefore present their papers in Spanish or English. The papers must be original, with one or more authors, and include empirical research findings, using quantitative or qualitative methods. Papers should be original and be based on empirical research, using quantitative or qualitative methods, or a combination of both. Essays that do not include empirical research will not be accepted. Articles that have been previously presented at other events will not be accepted either. Each author may present one paper as a main author. There is no limit for presenting papers as co-author. Abstracts should be between 600 and 1000 words. The deadline for sending abstracts is December 7, Decisions will be announced in January, 2012.

8 Authors whose submissions are accepted will have until March 30, 2012 to send their full papers. Full papers should be no longer than 8000 words, including tables, figures, references and notes. Papers must be sent in the language in which they are presented at the conference. The following are necessary when presenting the papers: title, abstract, up to five keywords, summary of the author's bio (up to three lines, including their institutional affiliation). The text should be written in Times New Roman, 12 pt. font, 1.5. spacing, APA format. Both the abstracts and the full papers should be sent throught the conference's web page at or via to 3Paper Presentations and Keynote Speeches The Conference will combine key note speeches with paper sessions and presentations. Each author will have 15 minutes to present his/her paper, after which participants will be invited to comment and ask questions. Audiovisual equipment will be available for presenters.. 4Selection Process and Criteria Evaluation The abstracts will be evaluated by a Scientific Committee. Each abstract will be reviewed revised by two evaluators, through a blind evaluation process, considering the following criteria: -Originality;

9 -Relevance; -Proposed topic's adequacy; -Theoretical and methodological adequacy; -Contribution to new knowledge; -Clarity and meeting the formal requirements of scientific language. Accepted papers will be announced to each participant by and on 5Registration Up to March 10th, 2010 Presenters: 100 US dollars Attendants: 60 US dollars After March 10th, 2010 Presenters: 150 US dollars Attendants: 100 US dollars. 6Contact For more information, please visit: or send an to the president of the organizing committee, Prof. Claudia Mellado (University of Santiago) at or 7Organizers

10 School of Journalism, University of Santiago of Chile ( Faculty of Education, Social Sciences and Humanities, University of La Frontera (UFRO) ( Institute of Communication and Image, University of Chile ( School of Journalism, Pontificial Catholic University of Valparaiso ( Important Dates Deadline for sending abstract December 7th, 2011 Announcement of selected papers January 30th, 2012 Deadline for sending full papers March 30th, 2012 Deadline for early registration March 10th, 2012 Conference June 27th, 28th and 29th, 2012