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Wednesday, October 28, 2009 (All day)

The annual conference of the Institute of Communication Ethics

When: Wednesday October 28, 2009 10 am-1 pm Where: Start Up Café, Coventry University, Priory Street, Coventry CV1 5SB All welcome!

Keynote: Nick Jones, BBC correspondent for 30 years, on the hyper-personalisation of media coverage of politics

Call for abstracts

The conference aims to explore the many ethical issues facing communication professionals and academics in the global media age.

Thus papers may wish to examine some of the following questions:

  • Can we speak meaningfully of global ethical communication standards?

  • To what extent is the concept of global public sphere/s useful in understanding contemporary communication issues?

  • What are the ethical dilemmas (for both journalists and citizens) associated with the now globalised social networking sites?

  • Does the politics of celebrity culture serve to marginalise more significant issues and perspectives (thus contributing to the ‘dumbing down’ of the media and the rise of ‘churnalism’)?

  • Can the contradictions within the celebrity culture be explored for progressive purposes: for instance, can issues relating to racism, sexism, disability and class be explored in Reality TV programmes?

  • To what extent does celebrity coverage reinforce a culture of cruelty?

  • To what extent has the celebrity culture invaded the world of politics?

In addition papers may wish to focus on:

  • Case studies of celebrity coverage and manufacture eg Jade Goody, David Beckham; Piers Morgan, Simon Cowell; Britney Spears, Madonna

  • The globalisation of the celebrity culture: within hours of appearing on Britain’s got talent Susan Boyle became a global superstar – thanks to YouTube.

  • Comparative case studies – celebrity coverage in contrasting cultures (eg Nigeria and the US)

  • Comparative case studies of PR promotion in contrasting cultures

Abstracts of 200 words should be sent to Prof Richard Lance Keeble (please download document here in PDF for contact details) by September 14, 2009. Feedback following peer review will be given back within 10 days. Selected contributions will appear in a future edition of Ethical Space: The International Journal of Communication Ethics (www.communicationethics.net).

Attendance at the conference will cost £55. Please send cheques payable to ‘Institute of Communication Ethics’ c/o Fiona Thompson, Faculty of Media, Business & Marketing, Leeds Trinity & All Saints, Brownberrie Lane, Horsforth, Leeds LS18 5HD.

The ICE conference will be followed by the major international ‘Is world journalism in crisis’ conference, in the Humber Theatre, Coventry University 2-5 pm