CALL FOR PAPERS

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Announcement for the American Edition of

Global Media Journal

Special Fall 2012 issue on

The Use of Social Media in Public Diplomacy: Getting Connected & Getting the Message Out

 Deadline for Submissions: May 1, 2012

The focus of this special issue of the Global Media Journal-American Edition is the impact of social media on public diplomacy in the 21^st century.

The rise of social media is revolutionizing the way state and non-state actors communicate with the international community. During the Cold War state actors relied primarily on broadcast and printed media to inform and influence foreign audiences. Today, state and non-state actors are increasingly turning to social media to get their messages out and connect with the public at large. Social media can play the dual role of disseminating information and building relationships in public diplomacy. Social networking platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, have been among the most prominent tools used today. The future of social media is unpredictable, but its impact is expected to grow continuously and re-shape our world.

As a special issue of the American edition of Global Media Journal, the editors encourage submissions that touch on U.S. public diplomacy, comparative public diplomacy, or public diplomacy of other countries intended for the U.S. public. Broad topic areas include, but are not limited to matters such as:

·       What has been the use of social media in U.S. public diplomacy to enhance strategic communication and dialogue?

·       How do local conditions in various countries, including level social media use, proliferation of technology, and government internet policies, affect U.S. public diplomacy?

·       What are possible trends in the use social media by state and non-state actors that might affect U.S. public diplomacy?

·       How do U.S. Foreign Service officers regard social media?

·       How are mobile devises, particularly cell phones, being integrated into social media and digital strategies in U.S. public diplomacy?

·       What are some innovative digital initiatives (case studies and analyses) in U.S. public diplomacy?

·       How well is international broadcasting competing with or complementing the new media in U.S. public diplomacy?

·       What are potential questions of social media ethics and activism for U.S. public diplomacy?

·       What is the connection between social media and soft power?

·       How has the role social media in the recent events in the Arab world affected U.S. public diplomacy?

·       What impact has Wikileaks had on U.S. diplomacy and public diplomacy?

Graduate Student Research: In keeping with the mission of the journal to provide opportunities for graduate student publication, this special issue of Global Media Journal will have a graduate research section. All papers must be submitted via electronic attachment. For submission guidelines, please visit http://lass.calumet.purdue.edu/cca/gmj/gmj_submission_guidelines.htm.

Please direct all inquires and submissions to Dr. R.S. Zaharna, The American University, zaharna@american.edu, and Graduate student submissions and queries should be directed to Ambassador William A. Rugh, Tufts University, billrugh2003@yahoo.com.

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