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

Media serve as powerful agents in shaping and perpetuating societal norms regarding gender. While they transmit established gender norms, they also actively contribute to constructing and reinforcing gender identities. However, media also have the potential to challenge and transform these norms, serving as platforms where gender identities are both performed and deconstructed. Despite significant scholarly attention, gender equality remains elusive within media industries, resulting in the persistence of gender stereotypes and inequalities. The emergence of digital technologies has further complicated this landscape. While these technologies have facilitated awareness-raising about gender-based abuses, such as through movements like #MeToo, they have also provided new avenues for the expression of toxic masculinity and misogyny, as evidenced by phenomena like the manosphere. Moreover, digital technologies have blurred the lines between media production and consumption, leading to the creation of bottom-up content that amplifies the voices and concerns of marginalized communities, including women and the LGBT+ community. This has led to the emergence of platforms like feminist podcasts, which highlight issues often overlooked in mainstream media. Recognizing the interconnected nature of media representations, production, and reception, this session aims to bring together scholars from diverse cultural and geographical backgrounds working on these fields.