An International Journal of Communication (IJoC) Special Features Section on
the recent Tunisian and Egyptian revolutions in North Africa to be published
in 2011.
Submission Deadline: March 15, 2011
Guest Editors: Johanne Kuebler and Ilhem Allagui
The International Journal of Communication is accepting papers for its
Features Section about the Tunisian and the Egyptian protests and their
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 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 free speech and democratic political participation have
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 Features 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, can 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 by March 15.
We look forward to your articles for this Special Features Section.
Sincerely,
Manuel Castells and Larry Gross
IJoC Editors