Deadline: 15 March 2011
An International Journal of Communication (IJoC) Special Features Section on the recent Tunisian and Egyptian revolutions in North Africa to be published in 2011.
Guest Editors: Johanne Kuebler and Ilhem Allagui
The International Journal of Communication is accepting papers for its Feature Section about the Tunisian and the Egyptian protests and its sequels in the Arab region.
Despite numerous efforts by Arab leaders to limit Internet access and to censor all media—especially new media—the spread of satellite TV and the Internet have transformed the media landscape in the Arab and Muslim worlds. Revolutionary protests by Tunisians led to the ousting of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, who maintained a strict media censorship after 23 years in power. Similarly, just weeks after the Tunisian uprising, demonstrations and riots have left the rule of the Hosni Mubarak government in a quandary. The oppression of the free speech and democratic political participation galvanized both Tunisians and Egyptians into unprecedented acts of revolt, demonstrating perseverance toward the goal of real political change.
Some observers attribute the success of the Tunisian revolution to the use of new media and social networking sites. While the penetration rate of Facebook in Tunisia is barely 19% (according to Socialbakers, the Facebook statistical portal), YouTube and DailyMotion were banned until January 13, 2011 despite Ben Ali’s desperate attempts to calm the population by promising unblocked access to Internet Web sites. Ben Ali eventually fled Tunisia on January 14.
As of this writing, the outcome of the Egyptian uprisings remains to be seen, and the potential for similar uprisings throughout the Arab world is very much in evidence.
This Feature Section of the IJoC invites discussions about these events occurring in the North African region in relation to communication technologies. By addressing these events, we aim to have a better understanding of the role of communication technologies as instruments for social change.
The submissions, empirical or theoretical, could be short observations, analyses or opinions of 1,500–5,000 words. Papers should follow the APA style (5th Ed.). Submissions will be peer reviewed.
Please send submissions to: Ilhem Allagui at iallagui@aus.edu