Online Media and Global Communication
(Q1 Scopus-Indexed Journal)
Call for Papers – Special Issue
Contemporary Media and Journalism in the MENA Region: AI Disruption, Digital Transformation, and Geopolitical Shifts
● Submission Deadline: September 1, 2026
● Anticipated Publication: March 31, 2027
Guest Editors
● Editor: Hatem El Zein – Al Maaref University, Lebanon
● Co-editor: Hussein Hazimeh – Al Maaref University, Lebanon
The volatile, uncertain, and rapidly shifting nature of today's communication ecosystem in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA region) demands thematically diverse and theoretically cohesive studies to discern the status quo of the current media landscape. As a region impacted by rapid digital adoption alongside complex socio-political dynamics and conflicts, the MENA region serves as a vital microcosm for studying global communication shifts. By exploring these localized yet globally resonant phenomena academically, significant gaps will be bridged in the current literature on online media and digital journalism.
In an era demanding methodological flexibility and theoretical innovation, this call for papers for a special issue in OMGC aims to inject diverse empirical data and fresh theoretical perspectives into the global arena, ensuring high-quality media literature from non-English speaking countries is robustly represented in the mainstream global academic debate.
We call for papers delving into this contemporary media and journalism landscape in the MENA region which is characterized by digital disruption and institutional transformation amid geopolitical shifts. Thus, these papers are expected to address the critical intersection of digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI), and evolving media landscape and journalistic practices within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
In this vein, we seek original and authentic research outputs investigating critical sub-themes, including media dynamics in conflict zones, digital discourse analysis, emancipatory media literacy, and institutional digital transformation. These outputs delve into cutting-edge computational trends, such as the algorithmic lexicon of digital media, AI-driven creative media production, computational spaces, and the intersection of social media influencers with contemporary brand strategies.
We welcome empirical, theoretical, and methodological manuscript submissions contextually focused on the MENA region. Submissions may address, but are not limited to, the following topics:
1. AI Disruption in the Newsroom: Automated workflows, large language models (LLMs), and computational text analysis in regional news production.
2. Media Literacy and Curricular Transformation: Evolving journalism education frameworks, hybrid academic practices, and critical thinking skills needed to navigate AI-driven landscapes.
3. Influencer Strategies and Public Diplomacy: The intersection of corporate branding, algorithmic optimization, social media influencers, and nation-branding frameworks.
4. Journalism in Active Conflict Zones: Operational adjustments, digital survival practices, and structural models adopted by journalists reporting from conflict zones.
5. Digital Sovereignty and Political Discourse: The use of digital platforms and online visual campaigns to negotiate power, contest sovereignty, and frame geopolitical crises.
6. Crisis-Driven Institutional Evolution: Systemic restructuring, legal/regulatory adaptations, and strategic business choices of media entities facing economic or technological upheavals.
7. Computational Semiotics and Bilingual Lexicons: Technical AI applications in decoding evolving social media trends, cross-lingual communication, and socio-political digital discourses.
Submission Guidelines
● Formatting: For paper formatting, please refer to the OMGC citation style with a structured abstract atDe Gruyter OMGC (under the Submit section) https://www.degruyter.com/journal/key/omgc/html?lang=en#submit .
● Length: Manuscript text length should typically be within 7,500 words, excluding references, tables, and figures. Exceptions can be made for manuscripts with complex research designs and mixed-methods studies.
● Submission Portal: Submit the full manuscript online via ScholarOne Manuscripts. https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/omgc
● Designation: Please select Special Issue: Contemporary Media and Journalism in the MENA Region when submitting your file.
Inquiries can be sent to omgc@shisu.edu.cn
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OMGC is a Q1 Scopus-indexed journal that provides a new venue for high-quality articles on theories and methods about the role of online media and global communication. The journal aims to serve as an academic bridge for research between the dominant English-speaking world and the non-English-speaking world, which has remained mostly invisible due to language barriers. Through its structured abstracts for all research articles and its uniform keyword system in the United Nations' official six languages, plus Japanese, Italian, and German, this journal provides a highly accessible platform for users worldwide.
OMGC recently celebrated its 5-year anniversary in Shanghai. Founding editor-in-chief, Dr. Louisa Ha, shared the journal's 5-year journey. In addition, the editorial team (Dr. KE Guo, Dr. CHEN Peiqin, Dr. LI Xiaomeng, and Dr. SUO Gefei), as well as the representatives of the OMGC board members (Dr. LI Zhi and Dr. Bushra Hameedur Rahman), received certificates of appreciation.
