Innovative media and strategic communication plays a vital role in the strengthening of the process of democratization. New innovations in the field of media and communication have actively been creating an extensive scope for freedom of expression and public participation while engaging citizens in democratization. Informing the people, constructing active citizenship, empowering people to make free and independent choices, and encouraging people to participate in the process of governance has become so easy but dynamic with the emergence of new media. Within the domination of information communication technology (ICT), media sometimes plays a very innovative role by having features from cutting edge technologies extending to more people centric approaches in its communications, which gives a wider scope for diversity and pluralism.
ICT has been a catalyst in transforming conventional notions of media and communication. In many countries the advent of new technology and ICT tools has simplified and re-shaped the patterns of media productions as well as outreach mechanisms. Audience has become central to many production’s patterns while public interest is increasingly becoming a commercial commodity.
Innovative communications within the ICT sphere has opened up new opportunities for the creation of a well-informed society and has contributed a lot in breaking the media monopoly and communication gap. The notion of accessing content in local languages is rapidly increasing. Rural societies and the most disadvantaged can have an influence in media content and make a global presence. The new media has made every citizen a journalist, and given them more space to voice their concerns. New advocacy patterns have been created throughout the world and there needs to be a more concrete understanding of these. Multiplatform media strategy redefines the relationship with media and civil society. Educational discourse around rural communication and development journalism is changing with this notion.
At the same time the concept of public service media and community broadcasting has been going through new shifts and paradigms within the changing media policy environment. This requires more in-depth dialogues to ensure media freedom is protected and freedom of expression is well ensured by media still performing its role by contributing to democratization.
Can a better world be achieved via better communication education? This is a perpetual question concerning communication researchers and practitioners over centuries. It is our vision that free and balanced communication between communities, nations, and civilisations is the path to a peaceful and prosperous world. Public diplomacy can be a potential means to achieve this. Public diplomacy is closely related to the development of each individual. It is also interrelated with community and global contexts.
As ICT brings people around the world closer, the need for human understanding becomes more urgent than ever. The existing global communication order is still far from satisfying this requirement. There are problems of dominance of the elite-clubs, digital divide, intercultural stereotyping, discrimination, the dilemma of regulation versus liberty, etc.
Objectives of the Conference
The 6th GCRA International Conference aims to provide a forum where researchers, practitioners, media workers, trainers, and students can engage in a comprehensive dialogue exploring the role of ICT, strategic communications, and innovative media in democratization. This conference’s aim is to explore insights into the challenges and constraints in the field of media and democratization.
All submissions must reflect the conference theme of “Media and democratization” and fall into one of the following themes:
1.Media and Global Communication
2.Media Policy Development in the Context ICT
3.Media and Pluralism
4.Development Journalism in the Modern era
5.Community Radio, inclusion and Development
6.ICT and Media Education
7.ICT, Language and inclusivity
8.ICT and PR for Development, Non-formal Education, ICT and Development
9.ICT, Media and Women Development
10.ICT Mediated Extension Efforts
11.The role of ICT in Poverty Reduction
12.ICT , New Media and Transformation
13.E-learning, M-Learning and Distance Education for Development
14.Harnessing ICT potentials for Public Diplomacy
15.Media and Soft power
16.Mobile Communication
Pre-Conferenceconsultation
The conference organizers will be inviting working journalist and host two day consultation on freedom of expression and need for policy change in Sri Lanka. International policy experts will be invited to facilitate this.
Post- conference workshop on development communication in the era of ICT.
The conference organizers in jointly with post graduate institute of agriculture (PGIA), University of Peradeniya organize one day workshop on above. International Development communication experts will facilitate this workshop. 100 post graduate students from all over the country will be attending this.
Papersubmission:
All the international abstracts/papers in English must be sent to info@ldjf.orgAny abstract submitted in Arabic and Urdu must be sent to sisini@ldjf.org
Selected papers will be published in an edited book (Bilingual, with ISBN). Also selected papers will be published in the Journal of Global Communication Official Journal of GCRA (www.jgc.co.in)
Important Dates
Last date for submission of abstracts: 15-11-2013
Communication of Accepted papers: 30-11-2013
Submission of full paper: 30-12-2013.
(Submission of full papers is essential for consideration of participation in the conference All accepted papers will be published in the form of book by GCRA for which GCRA has been allotted with ISBN Number in China)
http://www.gcra2014.org/2013/09/objective.html