7 March, 2024- The Religion and Communication WG hosted the webinar "Ethics of Religious Practices in Emerging Digital Platforms", which analyzed the ethical implications of using digital platforms to mediate and sustain the sanctity of religious practices across various religions worldwide. Watch it at the IAMCR Webinars Channel on Vimeo.

The Participatory Communication Research Section regularly issues newsletters with information of interest to its members. The January 2024 issue includes information about IAMCR 2024, a call for reviewers, and the upcoming PCR head elections. Read it here.

From his home in wintry Prague, IAMCR President, Nico Carpentier, has recorded a final fireside chat. In it he reflects on some of the challenges and achievements of the past four years and, with the nomination period for candidates ending on 5 February, he also offers timely encouragement to members who might want to get involved in the upcoming Executive Board and International Council elections.

IAMCR will be offering several awards and grants for members participating in our 2024 conference. These include the Urban Communication Award, the Climate Change Communication Award and the award in memory of Annabelle Sreberny.

The Community Communication and Alternative Media Section issued its January newsletter with some relevant Calls for Papers, including for IAMCR 2024 in Christchurch, and for a pre-conference, a call for reviewers and other topics that might be of interest to its members.

IAMCR invites member PhD students to lead a Presidential PhD Research Webinar on a topic of their choice. The webinar provides an opportunity to showcase your work, foster collaboration, and benefit from IAMCR's support. Apply by 22 January 2024.

IAMCR books

Edited by Minna Aslama Horowitz, Hannu Nieminen, Katja Lehtisaari and Alessandro D'Arma, Epistemic Rights in the Era of Digital Disruption is the 21st title in the Palgrave/IAMCR book series Global Transformations in Media and Communication Research.

Edited by Margaret Gallagher and Aimee Vega Montiel (2023)

This book engages contemporary debates on women’s rights, democracy, and neoliberalism through the lens of feminist communication scholarship.

Members' books

Edited by Emmanuel K Ngwainmbi, this book examines social media's impact on cyberbullying, sexting, and radicalization, highlighting its effects on young people's well-being. Contributors offer insights into adverse online experiences faced by youth.

Edited by Eliasu Mumuni, Mark Nartey, Ruby Pappoe, Nancy Henaku, and G. Edzordzi Agbozo, 'Communication and Electoral Politics in Ghana: Interrogating Transnational Technology, Discourse and Multimodalities' examines communication and language in Ghanaian elections, highlighting cultural and socio-political influences on election discourse.

In 'The Digital Double Bind,' Mohamed Zayani and Joe F. Khalil extensively examine the digital changes occurring in the Middle East, specifically emphasising socio-cultural, economic, and political factors. They also propose a conceptual framework for analyzing technology and development in the Global South.

Edited by Martin Echeverria and Ruben Arnoldo Gonzalez, 'Media and Politics in Post-Authoritarian Mexico: The Continuing Struggle for Democracy' analyzes obstacles to Mexican media democratization, with insights from scholars in Mexico and the U.S., covering media systems, journalism challenges, and civil society's role in entertainment.