[Commlist] CFP: MCAP-BNU International Conference 2026: Reclaiming Hope: Media, Activism & Social Justice

MCAP-BNU International Conference 2026:
Reclaiming Hope: Media, Activism & Social Justice
February 11-12, 2026
Beacon House National University, Lahore, Pakistan

The 2026 MCAP international Media Conference, Reclaiming Hope: Media, 
Activism & Social Justice, seeks to explore the dual role of media in 
shaping societies—as a force for justice, hope, and social change, but 
also as a tool for political manipulation and misinformation. Media has 
historically amplified voices of resilience, enabled grassroots 
activism, and mobilized communities for collective good. Yet, it has 
equally been misused to distort facts, polarize societies, and serve 
narrow political agendas. This conference builds on the belief that, 
despite these challenges, media retains a transformative power to 
nurture hope, resilience, and civic values.

Media, in this context, can be understood not only as a channel for 
communication, interaction, and dissemination but also as a symbolic 
arena—a contested space where meanings are constructed, citizenship is 
defined, and competing visions of society are negotiated at local, 
national, regional, and global levels. To grasp the complexity of civil 
society actors and their diverse strategies, traditional distinctions 
such as online/offline, mainstream/alternative, or new/old media need to 
be transcended. Effective activism requires both autonomous channels of 
communication and engagement with mainstream platforms to reach wider 
audiences. While the Internet has expanded opportunities for activism, 
it also comes with challenges of access and fragmentation, which is why 
hybrid strategies combining digital and traditional media remain 
essential. Importantly, activism cannot be confined to the media realm 
alone; trust-building, collaboration, and direct action require offline 
spaces just as much as online ones.

At the same time, it is critical to recognize that media itself is under 
mounting pressure. Increasing censorship, political polarization, 
economic dependency, and threats to journalistic freedom have limited 
the ability of many media outlets to function as independent voices. 
This shrinking space for free expression undermines media’s democratic 
role and poses serious questions about how journalism can sustain its 
integrity while resisting pressures from political, corporate, and 
ideological interests.

Amid these challenges, the conference will also highlight the potential 
of solution-oriented or constructive journalism. Rather than merely 
documenting crises and conflicts, constructive journalism seeks to 
broaden narratives by focusing on responses, innovations, and 
possibilities for positive change. It emphasizes depth, inclusivity, and 
context, allowing citizens to see themselves not only as victims of 
circumstances but also as active participants in shaping solutions. Such 
approaches can help restore public trust in journalism and demonstrate 
how media can be reclaimed as a platform for nurturing hope, ethical 
storytelling, and civic imagination.

At the heart of these processes lies the collective will of citizens to 
bring about transformation. Social and cultural change today is 
increasingly about shifting attitudes, values, and behaviors, winning 
over hearts and minds before issues permeate the political agenda and 
shape law and policy. Unlike earlier struggles often associated with 
violence, contemporary activism is more closely tied to peaceful 
resistance, civic engagement, and cultural change, with media serving as 
the bridge that connects grassroots voices to broader publics and formal 
institutions.

Through this theme, MCAP 2026 aims to highlight success stories of 
activism and advocacy, where communities and individuals have 
effectively leveraged media for positive change. At the same time, it 
will critically examine the political dimensions of media, interrogating 
how it can both enable and constrain democratic participation. Key 
questions include: how can media be reclaimed as a space for ethical, 
inclusive storytelling? How do we counter misuse and misinformation 
without silencing diverse voices? How do we safeguard journalistic 
freedom under pressure? And most importantly, how can media nurture the 
goodness and will of the people in times of crisis and uncertainty?

The conference will bring together academics, practitioners, activists, 
and students through keynote addresses, panel discussions, and 
interactive workshops. Case studies of grassroots mobilization, digital 
activism, solution journalism, and community media will showcase how 
hope and integrity continue to thrive even in contested spaces. By 
documenting these stories and fostering dialogue across disciplines, 
Reclaiming Hope aspires to strengthen networks and inspire new 
strategies for ethical, people-centered media practices. Ultimately, 
MCAP 2026 positions itself as a platform for reimagining media’s role in 
building more just, inclusive, and compassionate societies.

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Invited speakers

Nico Carpentier, Czech Republic
Jeffery Wimmer, Germany
Jason Gainous, USA
Eddy Borges, Qatar
Aman Bekmagambetov, Kazakhstan
Fatma Elzahraa Bisayed, Egypt
Murat Akser, England
Jairo Lugo Ocando, UAE

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Plenary highlights

Plenary 1:  From Crisis to Possibility: Reimagining Journalism for 
Social Justice

Plenary 2: Art, Entertainment & Storytelling as Activism

Plenary 3: Media, Human Rights & the Struggle for Dignity

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Fees

Submission deadline: Dec 20, 2025
Acceptance notification: Jan 1, 2026
Registration Deadline: Jan 10,2026
Registration fee: Rs  4000  (50%discount for MCAP members)

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Contact and more information

Abida Ashraf at (amcap92conf /at/ gmail.com)
W: https://mcap.top/

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Guidelines for Abstract Submission

Authors are invited to submit their abstracts to any of the 13 sections 
listed under the Sections tab on the MCAP website. The respective 
section chairs and evaluators will review each abstract for academic 
quality, relevance, and originality.

You are invited to send your abstracts to anyone of the following sections

    Media Culture and Society
    Digital Media
    Film Studies
    Media Education
    Development Communication
    Political Communication
    Gender and Media
    Media Literacy
    Media Ethics
    Visual Communication
    Science Communication
    Audio Communication
    Marketing and Advertising Studies

Submit:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1bDwoD0h8YaTHavS65vfyJG35tlQPs7ReiJLnVFIBfY0/preview

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