CALL FOR PROPOSALS
15th International Conference Bridges of Media Education
YOUNG PEOPLE AND NEWS
organized as part of 58th International Congress of Americanists (ICA) 150 years
30 June to 4 July 2025
Faculty of Philosophy, University of Novi Sad, Vojvodina/Serbia
In today’s changing media landscape, the relationship between young people and news has become a dynamic and evolving area of study. Beyond the traditional studies on (in)visible youth in mainstream media and on demographic to be catered by specific formats, current scholarship is focuses also on digital practices of young people as creators of news and curators of news flows. As the news environment becomes more fragmented, young people’s news consumption patterns are changing, raising important questions about media literacy, political socialization, and civic engagement. This conference seeks to explore the complexities of how young people engage with news, how they are represented in the news, how they engage in news making, as well as the broader causes and implications of these interactions for society.
One of the central themes of this conference is how young people are challenging existing patterns of news production and the traditional perception of newsworthiness. With their innovative use of digital platforms and social media, young people are not just passive recipients of news; they are active participants in its creation and distribution. They are pushing the boundaries of storytelling, highlighting issues that resonate with their generation, and questioning the norms of what is considered news. This shift presents both opportunities and challenges for the future of journalism.
At the same time, many young people actively avoid traditional news sources or encounter news incidentally through social media and other digital platforms. This incidental exposure to news raises important questions about the depth and quality of their engagement with current events. The tendency to avoid news altogether reflects broader concerns about trust in media, news fatigue, and the relevance of news to younger audiences. Further, it raises critical questions about the depth and quality of young people’s engagement with current events and the implications for an informed citizenry.
The repercussions of these trends extend into the classroom, where future newsmakers and journalism professionals are being trained. As educators, we grapple with how to prepare students for a media environment that is in flux, where traditional journalism practices may no longer hold. This conference will explore how these shifts should inform our teaching practices, ensuring that students are equipped with the skills, ethics, and adaptability needed for contemporary media landscape.
This conference seeks to bring together scholars from the fields of media and communication to examine these issues from multiple perspectives, with a list of possible topics including:
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- Visibility of young people in the news
- Portrayal of youth and specific groups of youth in the mainstream media
- Media literacy with a specific focus on news literacy
- Perception of news and ‘newsiness’ among young people
- Youth engagement with news and journalism
- Role of news in political socialization and civic engagement of young people
- Young people as news producers and curators
- Role and impact of media for the youth by the youth
- Challenges of educating future newsmakers in higher education
Working language of the conference is English.
Abstract (up to 300 words) with key words can be submitted online using this form.
Registration and participation fee:
Conference fee is 70 EUR.
Conference fee for young PhD researchers (aged up to 30) is 30 EUR.
Please consult our website for further information on registration and payment policy.Edited volume: Peer-reviewed papers in English and BSC will be published in the Edited Volume after the Conference. Instructions for manuscript submission are available on our website.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Proposal Submission Deadline: 31 January 2025
Notification of Acceptance: 28 February 2025
Registration for the conference: 15 April 2025
Payment of conference fee: 10 May 2025
Conference Date: 30 June to 4 July 2025