See our petition at this link.
The rise of religious nationalism, religious populism, antisemitism, Islamophobia as well as the resurgence of interest in conspiracy theories and New Age practices–especially during the pandemic–has intensified the need for Media and Communication scholars to meaningfully and critically address religion. Counter to received theories of secularization, religion has not "gone away." In fact it has persisted, even flourished in novel forms and contexts. These developments related to the rise of religion can be identified across a number of religious, national, and cultural contexts circulating within and between the Global North and the Global South.
There is a growing international network of Media and Communication scholars already applying critical theories, tools and methods to explore the relationship between media and religion. We propose a new ICA interest group to serve as a hub of this growing field of research. This scholarly unit within ICA would not only recognize the importance of substantive and critical scholarship on media and religion but would provide important opportunities for dialogue and collaboration with related divisions and units to support scholarship on this topical field of research.
Please sign the petition at this link to support of establishing an interest group with ICA focusing on Media and Religion. You must be a current ICA member to sign, and your signature shows that you endorse our plan to move forward with this interest group.
------------------------------
Corrina Laughlin
Instructor
Loyola Marymount University
LOS ANGELES CA
United States
------------------------------