This is event took place on 12 December 2023.
The 2023 IAMCR Presidential PhD Research Webinar titled “De-Westernizing Global Media Studies: Bridging Disciplinary, National, and Regional Divides for a More Inclusive and Decolonized Future” convened by Karl Patrick R. Mendoza and Samuel I. Cabbuag marked a significant stride towards redefining the landscape of media studies for a more inclusive and decolonized future.
The webinar, held on 12 December 2023, meticulously explored the imperative need to transcend the historical dominance of Western perspectives in shaping media studies. The discussions centred on strategies aimed at incorporating non-Western viewpoints, reassessing the role of Western theories, and fostering equitable collaborations across disciplinary, national, and regional boundaries.
Speakers from various backgrounds and global locales delivered thought-provoking presentations:
- Hopeton Dunn set the stage with an insightful opening address, drawing from his expertise as a Professor of Communications Policy and Digital Media.
- Karl Patrick R. Mendoza and Samuel I. Cabbuag presented a foundational discourse on De-Westernising global media studies, emphasising the significance of diverse perspectives.
- Liming Liu delved into the intricacies of platform governance on Chinese TikTok, shedding light on digital privacy within authoritarian contexts.
- Yanti Sastrawan offered a critical perspective on the digitalisation of education in Indonesia, exploring its implications on shaping future citizenship.
- Elias Hedkvist navigated through the complexities of media and communication scholarship, emphasising the importance of embracing incompleteness.
- Ruona Meyer proposed a positionality-based decolonisation of Organisational Power Theory, redefining collaborative investigative journalism in African contexts.
- Adeline Nkwimba Mpuya brought attention to the need for decolonizing African international communication scholarship, advocating for diverse intellectual paradigms.
- Sadia Zamir delved into the discursive construction of political processes in Pakistan by TV news media, employing Critical Discourse Analysis to unravel societal power dynamics.
The webinar, structured into presentations and Q&A sessions, provided a platform for early-stage scholars to showcase their research, fostering rich discussions and amplifying their visibility within the academic community.
By embracing diverse perspectives and challenging established norms, this webinar significantly contributes to the ongoing discourse on decolonising global media studies, paving the way for a more inclusive and enriched academic landscape.