Monday, September 05, 2005

CFP: The Impact of the Internet on the Mass Media in Europe (Greece) (10/1/05; 4/26/06-4/28/06)

CFP: The Impact of the Internet on the Mass Media in Europe (Greece) (10/1/05; 4/26/06-4/28/06)

COST A20 Conference - The Impact of the Internet on the Mass Media in Europe;
Delphi, Greece, 26-28 April 2006


COST Action A20 on The Impact of the Internet on the Mass Media in Europe invites proposals for papers to be presented at its concluding conference, to be held in Delphi, Greece, 26-28 April 2006.

The internet represents a challenge to many areas of social life, and the mass media are one of the most problematic areas. Over the last few years there have been predictions of the end of the large scale media corporations, the death of media forms like newspapers, and the deluge of
online piracy first in music and now increasingly in audio-visual material. Some of these predictions have been demonstrably wrong, and some have been proved only too true. Distinguishing real developments from wishful thinking and doom-mongering is one of the essential roles that scholarly researchers can play in contemporary society.

For the last five years, researchers in twenty two European countries have been working together to understand the impact that the internet has on the practices, the content, the business and the audiences for the press, television and radio. In that time they have carried out numerous detailed projects looking at particular aspects of all the media. The project is now coming to a conclusion, and one of the aims of this conference is to present the work of network to other researchers. However, we want this to be a two-way process, with us learning from the
work that has been going on outside of our own grouping, so we are also inviting scholars to present proposals for papers on any aspect of this issue.

The Action has evolved into a structure with four specialisms: in the printed press; in television; in radio; and in cross media issues. We invite abstracts from scholars working on any or all of those areas. Proposals can address online and offline aspects of media production, audience behaviour, content, or business.

Proposals should take the form of an abstract of not more than 250 words. They should be sent by email to cost-a20@wb.st by October 1, 2005. Successful proposers will be notified by October 31, 2005. The deadline for full papers is February 28, 2006.