Pacific Media Watch Newsdesk
Academics and tertiary students from across the Asia Pacific have been invited to submit papers for the Asian Congress for Media and Communication and Culture 2020 (ACMC 2020).
Due to be held at the Auckland University of Technology on November 26 to November 28 2020, ACMC will present papers across a number of academic streams including media influence and impact, public relations theory and democracy and disinformation.
Convened by Pacific Media Centre director Professor David Robie and AUT senior lecturer and PMC advisory board member Khairiah A Rahman, the conference will involve Asian interests across a broad area.
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“While some research will certainly cover aspects of media in Asian countries, others might look at aspects of communication or intercultural communication affecting and influencing Asia and Asian diaspora,” Rahman said.
“We are also expecting research within the Asia Pacific, considering New Zealand’s unique position.”
The conference will come at a pivotal time when the rise of social media and technology in Asia is fundamentally changing the traditional function of the media as a state tool for the dissemination of information.
“With the evolution of social and online media, governments are challenged between participation in the knowledge-based economy and control of information,” Rahman said.
“It is easier for independent and non-state-controlled media to set their own agenda although this may face adverse consequences as in the case of Rappler in Manila, the largest journalist-controlled website news that’s critical of the government.”
The conference is likely to attract submissions from across the region including Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, India, China, Taiwan, Japan, Dubai, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
With the deadline for abstracts set for March 15, 2020, the organisers have strongly encouraged all all interdisciplinary researchers to make a submission.
“We would also welcome abstracts from tertiary students across the Asia Pacific and internationally. AUT postgraduate scholarship students should be able to utilise their student grants, where applicable,” Rahman said.
“As this international conference is set to run at AUT between 26-28 November 2020, we encourage all interested local researchers to participate as this means saving on flight and accommodation, while having the opportunity to network with international participants.”
