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[Commlist] CFP - Fringe democracy and platformization of the public sphere (special issue ComPol)
Fri Jun 28 11:28:11 GMT 2024
*Call for Papers – Special Issue ComPol - Comunicazione Politica - n.
1/2025 (April 2025)*
*Title*
Fringe democracy and platformization of the public sphere
*Guest editors*
Giovanni Boccia Artieri (University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Italy)
Axel Bruns (Queensland University of Technology, Australia)
Ehsan Dehghan (Queensland University of Technology, Australia)
Laura Iannelli (University of Sassari, Italy)
*Description*
The contemporary landscape of digital communication is characterized by
a complex interplay of public, semi-public, and private spaces (Boccia
Artieri et al., 2021). These digital spaces differ in terms of
visibility, regulation, and participation, but they are interconnected
through reciprocal migration dynamics between “fringe” and mainstream
digital media. Fringe platforms (de Winkel, 2023) are alternative
platform services which explicitly contest the ideological premises and
the practices of mainstream platforms. These platforms can offer diverse
types of service (e.g., social media, streaming service, Appstore),
express diverse ideologies (e.g., far-right, anarchist,
anti-authoritarian positions), and put forward criticisms of various
kinds (e.g., contesting Big Tech’s personal data policies and
accumulated power, advocating for diverse types of moderation,
requesting to give voice to disadvantaged communities) (de Winkel, 2023;
Herasimenka, 2022). These alternative digital spaces – at once
technical, cultural, and social – are connected to disinformation
ecosystems, to the spread of hate speech, and to the normalization of
populist and extremist thought (Schulze et al., 2022; Walther & McCoy,
2021). Furthermore, despite their potential ideological variety, some
scholars highlight the existence of a relationship of co-dependency and
interdependence between the rise of alternative digital spaces and the
growth of discursive forms associated with the far-right (e.g., Marwick
et al., 2022; Schulze et al., 2022; Törnberg & Törnberg, 2024; Urman &
Katz, 2022).
For many years, fringe positions have leveraged the distribution power
of mainstream social media platforms as “neutral channels,” becoming
part of the broader public debate, altering the very nature of political
discussion, and destroying the conditions of the public sphere (Esau et
al., 2023). With the term “fringe democracy,” we refer to systems,
practices, and political movements that exist on the periphery of
traditional democratic norms and values, a “democracy from the margins”
that tends to become increasingly visible in the online public sphere
today. It can involve entities or political groups operating within a
democratic framework but advocating for extreme or unconventional
ideologies and methods of governance/participation. Fringe democracies
often challenge or diverge from established democratic principles such
as pluralism, inclusivity, respect for minority rights, and adherence to
the rule of law. The main characteristics of fringe democracy are:
* Extremist ideologies: movements or parties that may hold radical
views significantly diverging from traditional political thought,
such as ultranationalism, (anti-)authoritarianism, anarchism, or
radical populism.
* Marginalization from traditional politics: marginal democratic
groups are typically sidelined from mainstream political discourse
and may have limited influence within the broader political system.
They often attract a smaller, more radicalized segment of the
population.
* Questionable democratic practices: although they may participate in
democratic processes such as elections, their commitment to
democratic principles like fair play, tolerance, and dialogue may be
weak. They might employ tactics that undermine democratic
institutions or the electoral process.
* Controversial policies and rhetoric: these groups often advocate
controversial or provocative policies that can polarize society.
Their rhetoric may target specific groups, promoting division and
sometimes inciting hatred or violence.
* Potential for destabilization: by challenging the norms and values
of traditional democracy, fringe democratic movements can contribute
to political instability.
The concept of fringe democracy is increasingly linked to the
transformation driven by the platformization of the media system (van
Dijck et al., 2018), which indicates a process by which digital
platforms’ logics transform the communicative dynamics of politics and
the public sphere.
In particular, the relationship between the platformization of the
public sphere and fringe democracy extends along several paths to be
explored:
* Amplification of marginal voices and mobilization: Digital platforms
provide fringe groups with powerful tools to disseminate their
ideologies and messages. Social media, in particular, allows these
groups to reach a global audience, bypassing traditional
“gatekeepers” such as mainstream media and political institutions.
Online platforms also enable marginal groups to organize and
mobilize more efficiently. This has led to rapid growth and greater
visibility for fringe movements, which can influence political
agendas and public discourse.
* Growth of polarization and overexposure to marginal thinking: In
digital environments, users are primarily exposed to information and
viewpoints that reinforce their existing beliefs (dynamics of filter
bubbles and echo chambers), which could accentuate polarization.
This can intensify radical opinions and make fringe ideologies
appear more widespread and accepted than they actually are in
society at large.
* Disinformation and propaganda: The platformization process has
facilitated the spread of disinformation and propaganda. Fringe
groups often exploit these mechanisms to disseminate false or
misleading information, manipulate public opinion, increase the
toxicity of the discursive dimension, and discredit traditional
democratic institutions and processes.
* Global reach and creation of fringe networks: Online platforms
connect like-minded individuals across borders, allowing for the
creation of transnational fringe networks. This global reach
increases their influence and ability to share strategies,
resources, and support.
* Alternative media ecosystems: Online platforms have enabled the
creation of alternative media ecosystems where fringe groups can
produce and distribute their content. These ecosystems often operate
independently of the oversight and standards of traditional media,
which can lead to the proliferation of extreme and unverified content.
* Monetization and funding: Many digital platforms offer monetization
options, such as ad revenue, crowdfunding, and donations, which
fringe groups can exploit to fund their activities. This financial
support can sustain and grow their activities beyond what would be
possible with traditional means.
In summary, the process of platformization has significantly transformed
the landscape of fringe democracy by enhancing the reach, organization,
and impact of fringe groups. Understanding these dynamics is essential
for investigating some of the central themes in political communication
studies, such as the quality of the public sphere, the influence of
media on the political agenda and mobilization practices, the
relationship between the media ecosystem and political polarization, and
the processes of mis/disinformation. However, the study of marginal
groups and radical counter-platforms that are difficult for researchers
to access also poses several methodological challenges (Jost et al.,
2023; Peeters & Willaert, 2022; Rogers, 2020).
We invite submissions that address topics including, but not limited to,
the following:
* the role of fringe platforms in the platformized public sphere and
in the contemporary media ecosystem
* strategies of amplification of marginal voices and the influence of
this greater visibility on political agendas
* practices of online global mobilization and funding of marginal
radical groups
* spaces of communication consistent with fringe ideologies and
political polarization
* fringe platforms, disinformation, manipulation, incivility, and
propaganda
* narratives, imaginaries, public discussion on fringe platforms
*Information for authors*
Potential contributors should submit an extended abstract in English
(1,200 words, excluding references), a 100-word bio, and the
corresponding author’s contact information. Long abstracts must be sent
by July 30, 2024 (torivista /at/ compol.it) <mailto:(rivista /at/ compol.it)>.Please
indicate that the proposal is for the “special issue 2025” in the email
subject.Notifications will be communicated by 3 September 2024. After
the abstracts have been selected, authors will be invited to submit a
full paper. Please note that acceptance of an abstract does not
guarantee publication, given that all papers will go through the
journal’s peer review process. No payment from the author(s) will be
required for publication.
*Abstract structure*
The extended abstract should present a coherent narrative on fringe
democracy and platformization of the public sphere, while highlighting
how the authors respond to the special issue call. The abstract should
clearly describe the key questions, the theoretical and methodological
approach, the evidence presented, and the wider implications of the
study. Authors are encouraged to provide as much detail as possible
about the spatial and temporal context of their study, the research
design and methods employed, the data collected, and the main results of
the analyses. For theoretical works, the abstract should provide a clear
and in-depth description of the conceptual framework.
*Key dates*
• Deadline for extended abstract submissions:July 30, 2024
• Decision by issue editors sent by:September 3, 2024
• Full paper submissions:November 3, 2024
• First round of reviews completed by:December 15, 2024
• Resubmissions of papers:January 15, 2025
• Second round of reviews completed by:January 30, 2025
• Submission of final manuscripts:February 15, 2025
See the full CFP
here:https://www.rivisteweb.it/issn/1594-6061/newsdetail/393
<https://www.rivisteweb.it/issn/1594-6061/newsdetail/393>
For further information about the submission process, please contact the
editorial team:
Giovanni Boccia Artieri ((giovanni.bocciaartieri /at/ uniurb.it)
<mailto:(giovanni.bocciaartieri /at/ uniurb.it)>)
Axel Bruns ((a.bruns /at/ qut.edu.au) <mailto:(a.bruns /at/ qut.edu.au)>)
Ehsan Dehghan ((e.dehghan /at/ qut.edu.au) <mailto:(e.dehghan /at/ qut.edu.au)>)
Laura Iannelli ((liannelli /at/ uniss.it) <mailto:(liannelli /at/ uniss.it)>)
*About the venue*
*Editor in Chief*: Augusto Valeriani (University of Bologna)
Comunicazione Politica (ComPol) – founded in 2000 and published by Il
Mulino since 2009 – is sponsored by the Italian Association of Political
Communication. It is well established among the academic and scientific
community as the leading Italian journal that studies, analyzes and
discusses the relationships between media and politics. The journal
welcomes all research methods, comparative perspectives and analytical
articles that deal with emerging political communication topics in Italy
and worldwide. ComPol aims at promoting the interdisciplinary
development of political communication scholarship by publishing
contributions from political scientists, sociologists, mass
communication and new media researchers, linguists, historians, and
scholars from other disciplines. It features research on the deep
transformations that have taken place in the electoral and political
arenas in the last decades. The journal pays special attention also to
the ongoing developments in the world of professions related to
political communication: political marketing and consultancy, public
affairs, polls, media management, and the like, with the aim of
stimulating the discussion between academic research and professional
work in crucial political environments. ComPol publishes articles both
in Italian and
in English, encouraging submissions also from international scholars.
All articles undergo under blind peer-review. The journal is indexed by:
Scopus Bibliographic Database (Q2Communication 2024), ERIH Plus,
Articoli italiani di periodici accademici (AIDA), JournalSeek, Essper,
Catalogo italiano dei periodici (ACNP), Google Scholar, Primo Central
(Ex Libris), EDS (EBSCO).
https://www.rivisteweb.it/issn/1594-6061/presentazione
<https://www.rivisteweb.it/issn/1594-6061/presentazione>
*(cited) References*
Boccia Artieri, G., Brilli, S., & Zurovac, E. (2021). Below the radar:
Private groups, locked platforms, and ephemeral content—Introduction to
the special issue. Social Media+ Society, 7(1).
Esau, K., Choucair, T., Vilkins, S., Svegaard, S., Bruns, A., O'Connor
Farfan, K., & Lubicz-Zaorski, C. (2023) Destructive political
polarization in the context of digital communication: A critical
literature review and conceptual framework. In International
Communication Association (ICA) Annual Conference, issue
73https://eprints.qut.edu.au/238775/ <https://eprints.qut.edu.au/238775/>
Herasimenka, A. (2022). Movement leadership and messaging platforms in
preemptive repressive settings: Telegram and the Navalny Movement in
Russia. Social Media+ Society, 8(3).
de Winkel, T. (2023). Fringe platforms: An analysis of contesting
alternatives to the mainstream social media platforms in a platformized
public sphere (Doctoral dissertation, Utrecht University)
Jost, P., Heft, A., Buehling, K., Zehring, M., Schulze, H., Bitzmann,
H., & Domahidi, E. (2023). Mapping a Dark Space: Challenges in Sampling
and Classifying Non-Institutionalized Actors on Telegram. M&K Medien &
Kommunikationswissenschaft, 71(3-4), 212-229.
Marwick, A., Clancy, B., & Furl, K. (2022). Far-Right online
radicalization: A review of the literature. The Bulletin of Technology &
Public Life.
Peeters, S., & Willaert, T. (2022). Telegram and digital methods:
Mapping networked conspiracy theories through platform affordances. M/C
Journal, 25(1).
Rogers, R. (2020). Deplatforming: Following extreme Internet celebrities
to Telegram and alternative social media. European Journal of
Communication, 35(3), 213-229.
Schulze, H., Hohner, J., Greipl, S., Girgnhuber, M., Desta, I., &
Rieger, D. (2022). Far-right conspiracy groups on fringe platforms: a
longitudinal analysis of radicalization dynamics on Telegram.
Convergence: The International Journal of Research into New Media
Technologies, 28(4), 1103-1126.
Törnberg, A., & Törnberg, P. (2024). Intimate Communities of Hate: Why
Social Media Fuels Far-Right Extremism. Taylor & Francis.
Urman, A., Katz, S. (2022) What they do in the shadows: examining the
far-right networks on Telegram, Information, Communication & Society,
25:7,904-923.
van Dijck, J., Poell, T., de Waal, M. (2018), The Platform Society:
Public Values in a Connective World. Oxford University Press
Walther, S., McCoy, A. (2021). US extremism on Telegram: Fueling
disinformation. Conspiracy Theories, and Accelerationism. Perspectives
on Terrorism, 15(2), 100–124.
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