5th ISA Forum of Sociology (6-11 July 2025)

The conference session will delve into the evolving landscape of global media platforms and their profound impact on society, democracy, and individual voices. In today's interconnected world, media democratization is a central concern, influencing and being influenced by societal dynamics. Media platforms play a crucial role in shaping public discourse, reflecting both the challenges and opportunities of globalization. Globalization has facilitated unprecedented connectivity, compressing distances and time, and fostering cross-cultural exchanges. Yet, alongside these benefits, the global media sphere grapples with pervasive issues such as misinformation, polarization, and algorithmic bias. These challenges often limit diversity of thought and contribute to societal divisions.

The session will cover:

• Access and Inclusivity: Discussing digital advancements that democratize media access and emphasize inclusivity for marginalized perspectives.
• Challenges and Opportunities: Analysing algorithmic bias and disinformation, while exploring how technology can foster a fairer media ecosystem.
• Civic Engagement and Democracy: Examining media's role in shaping civic engagement and democratic processes through social media, citizen journalism, and online activism.
• Regulatory Frameworks: Considering governments' role in balancing freedom of expression with the need to regulate harmful content in the digital age.
• The Future of Media: Speculating on trends like decentralized networks and blockchain verification, and their potential to reshape global media landscapes.

Subthemes for conference article submissions include digital divide, social media's role in politics, cultural diversity in media, online journalism ethics, citizen journalism, online regulation, media literacy, community building, globalization's cultural impact, media technology, information access, privacy concerns, digital activism, media ownership, and marginalized voices.