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Social media has become an integral part of modern communication, shaping how individuals engage with societal issues. In Tanzania, its influence on youth civic participation outside the electoral period highlights its transformative potential. A recent study examined how social media interactivity influences offline civic participation among young people, employing a multidimensional approach to assess this dynamic.

Using a concurrent qualitative-dominant mixed-methods approach, the study conducted four focus group discussions (FGDs) and surveyed 372 participants. Thematic analysis of narrative responses, facilitated by NVivo-12, and statistical analysis using SPSS 26 revealed significant insights into the relationship between social media usage and offline civic engagement.

The findings underscore that Tanzanian youth actively use social media platforms to comment on and share messages, photos, videos, and voice notes related to civic activities. This digital interaction is not confined to the virtual space; it motivates active offline participation in community initiatives. Examples include volunteering for community development projects, organizing local campaigns, and raising awareness about pressing social issues.

Social media's appeal lies in its accessibility and ability to amplify voices. Platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram serve as virtual meeting spaces where youth can discuss civic matters, share information, and mobilize for action. By fostering discussions on issues like environmental conservation, gender equality, and education, these platforms bridge the gap between online discourse and tangible offline efforts.

The study’s findings highlight that the interactivity of social media enhances civic awareness and action among youth. It provides them with tools to collaborate, build networks, and initiate projects that benefit their communities. Furthermore, social media facilitates the dissemination of critical information, enabling young people to stay informed about civic opportunities and responsibilities.

However, the study also emphasizes the need for mindful usage of social media to avoid misinformation and ensure constructive engagement. Educators, policymakers, and community leaders can play a pivotal role in guiding youth toward ethical and impactful digital interactions.

This research establishes a foundation for further exploration into the interplay between social media and civic engagement. By leveraging the potential of social media, Tanzanian youth can continue to transform their communities, demonstrating how digital platforms can catalyze positive societal change.

Digital media, the umbrella term for content accessible through electronic devices, has transformed how we communicate, create, and consume information. From text to video, audio to images, this dynamic medium has evolved into an essential part of our daily lives. In recent years, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into digital media has propelled it to new heights, enabling personalized experiences, enhanced productivity, and greater audience engagement.

Digital media encompasses various formats, each with distinct characteristics. Text-based content, such as articles and blogs, thrives on clarity and searchability. Audio-based formats, including podcasts and music, cater to on-the-go consumption. Image-based media, like photography and infographics, emphasize visual storytelling, while video-based content, including films and reels, merges visuals and sound to captivate audiences. Together, these formats create a vibrant digital media ecosystem.

The advent of AI has revolutionized every facet of this ecosystem. In newsrooms, AI-powered tools streamline content creation, fact-checking, and personalized news delivery. Algorithms analyze user behavior to serve tailored recommendations, making news consumption more relevant. Advertising has embraced AI to craft targeted campaigns, optimize budgets, and even create dynamic ad content that resonates with specific audiences.

In music and entertainment, AI generates playlists aligned with listener preferences and assists in composing music. Platforms like Netflix and Spotify leverage AI to curate personalized experiences, strengthening user loyalty. Television and film industries have adopted AI for scriptwriting, editing, and enhancing visual effects, streamlining the production process.

Moreover, AI-driven innovations in augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are reshaping how content is created and consumed. AR applications overlay digital information on the physical world, while VR immerses users in entirely virtual environments. These technologies are finding applications in gaming, education, and even healthcare, broadening the scope of digital media.

The impact of AI on digital media is not merely technological but cultural. By fostering personalization, AI ensures content resonates with diverse audiences. Simultaneously, it enhances productivity, enabling creators to focus on storytelling while automating repetitive tasks.

As digital media continues to evolve, AI stands as a cornerstone of its growth. Its transformative potential underscores the need for innovation and ethical considerations, ensuring that the digital media landscape remains inclusive, engaging, and future-ready.

Arab Media & Society, the biannual journal of the Kamal Adham Center for Television and Digital Journalism at the American University in Cairo, is inviting contributions for its upcoming Issue 38, focused on the theme of "Media and Conflict."

This issue seeks to critically examine the dynamic role of both traditional and digital media in shaping, documenting, and influencing conflict narratives across the Arab world. Scholars, practitioners, and journalists are encouraged to submit work that intersects media practices with technology, ideology, and geopolitics, offering insights into how media reshapes public engagement, conflict narratives, and the broader discourse surrounding war and peace.

Suggested Themes for Exploration

Submissions may address—but are not limited to—the following topics:

• Reframing Conflict Narratives

How do media platforms (traditional and digital) construct and influence narratives about war and conflict in the Arab world?

What are the dominant frames, and how do they shape public opinion and policy?

• Propaganda and Disinformation

The exploitation of media by state and non-state actors for psychological warfare and misinformation campaigns.

Tools and techniques used to manipulate audiences and fuel conflict through various media platforms.

• Citizen Journalism in Conflict Zones

The role of grassroots media and citizen journalists in challenging or reinforcing official narratives.

Impact on public perception of conflict through alternative reporting mechanisms.

• Ethical and Legal Dimensions

Challenges faced by journalists, activists, and citizens in reporting conflict.

The influence of legal frameworks on free and accurate conflict coverage in the Arab world.

• The Visual Economy of War

Circulation of images depicting violence, resistance, and suffering in media.

Cultural, psychological, and political impacts of visual representations of conflict.

• Social Media and Conflict Mobilisation

Digital platforms as tools for recruitment, ideological messaging, and strategic mobilisation in conflict zones.

The reshaping of strategies by conflict actors using social media.

• Media Coverage of Humanitarian Crises

Representations of displacement, refugee crises, and human rights violations in conflict reporting.

Media’s role in promoting or deterring international humanitarian interventions.

• Safety in Conflict Zones

Risks posed by digital media for journalists and activists in conflict zones.

Strategies to enhance the safety of media practitioners in volatile environments.

• Public Trust in Media During Conflict

The impact of media coverage on public trust and strategies for combating misinformation.

Rebuilding trust in conflict reporting amid a disinformation crisis.

• Gender and Conflict Representation

Portrayal of women and marginalised groups in media coverage of conflict.

Challenges faced by female journalists and activists in reporting from conflict zones.

Submission Guidelines

Submissions can adopt qualitative or quantitative methods and are encouraged to engage with interdisciplinary approaches and critical analysis. This open framework aims to encourage diverse perspectives and innovative ideas in understanding media’s role in conflict.

Deadline: Submissions must be received by 15 Jan

Submission Portal: [https://gfmd.info/engagements/call-for-papers-shaping-narratives-media-and-conflict-in-the-arab-world/]

By fostering this dialogue, Arab Media & Society hopes to deepen the understanding of media’s influence on conflict and its potential role in promoting peace, accountability, and justice in the Arab world.

Renowned figure Mohan Alva recently underscored the critical need to preserve the integrity of news in the age of paid news. Speaking on the matter, Alva expressed concern over how paid news is eroding the core values of journalism by blurring the lines between news and advertisements. He stressed that the practice not only compromises journalistic ethics but also undermines the credibility of media outlets.

Paid news refers to the practice where media outlets accept monetary compensation to publish biased or promotional content disguised as legitimate news. This phenomenon has grown particularly rampant during election campaigns, with political candidates and organizations often paying media houses to publish favorable reports. Such content, presented as unbiased news, misleads readers, who may not be aware that what they are consuming is, in fact, a paid advertisement. This undermines the trust that the public places in news outlets and diminishes the authenticity of journalism.

Alva emphasized that it is crucial for both media organizations and journalists to adhere to ethical standards, ensuring that news remains impartial, accurate, and free from external influence. He highlighted that the growing prevalence of paid news is a threat to the very foundation of journalism, where objectivity and transparency should be paramount. Alva’s comments come at a time when the media industry is grappling with increasing pressures to generate revenue while maintaining editorial independence.

In response to the rising trend of paid news, the Press Council of India has implemented guidelines aimed at identifying and preventing such practices. These guidelines are designed to ensure that paid news is clearly distinguishable from genuine reporting, providing readers with transparency about the nature of the content they are consuming. The Election Commission of India has also taken proactive steps, asking the Press Council to draft comprehensive measures to distinguish advertisements from news stories and prevent paid content from being disguised as legitimate journalism.

The issue of paid news poses a significant challenge to the media’s role in shaping public opinion and fostering an informed citizenry. As media outlets face the dilemma of balancing financial pressures with journalistic responsibility, experts like Alva continue to advocate for the protection of journalism’s core values. Upholding the integrity of news, especially in an era of increasing commercialization, remains essential to restoring public trust in the media and ensuring that news continues to serve its true purpose.

Renowned figure Mohan Alva recently underscored the critical need to preserve the integrity of news in the age of paid news. Speaking on the matter, Alva expressed concern over how paid news is eroding the core values of journalism by blurring the lines between news and advertisements. He stressed that the practice not only compromises journalistic ethics but also undermines the credibility of media outlets.

Paid news refers to the practice where media outlets accept monetary compensation to publish biased or promotional content disguised as legitimate news. This phenomenon has grown particularly rampant during election campaigns, with political candidates and organizations often paying media houses to publish favorable reports. Such content, presented as unbiased news, misleads readers, who may not be aware that what they are consuming is, in fact, a paid advertisement. This undermines the trust that the public places in news outlets and diminishes the authenticity of journalism.

Alva emphasized that it is crucial for both media organizations and journalists to adhere to ethical standards, ensuring that news remains impartial, accurate, and free from external influence. He highlighted that the growing prevalence of paid news is a threat to the very foundation of journalism, where objectivity and transparency should be paramount. Alva’s comments come at a time when the media industry is grappling with increasing pressures to generate revenue while maintaining editorial independence.

In response to the rising trend of paid news, the Press Council of India has implemented guidelines aimed at identifying and preventing such practices. These guidelines are designed to ensure that paid news is clearly distinguishable from genuine reporting, providing readers with transparency about the nature of the content they are consuming. The Election Commission of India has also taken proactive steps, asking the Press Council to draft comprehensive measures to distinguish advertisements from news stories and prevent paid content from being disguised as legitimate journalism.

The issue of paid news poses a significant challenge to the media’s role in shaping public opinion and fostering an informed citizenry. As media outlets face the dilemma of balancing financial pressures with journalistic responsibility, experts like Alva continue to advocate for the protection of journalism’s core values. Upholding the integrity of news, especially in an era of increasing commercialization, remains essential to restoring public trust in the media and ensuring that news continues to serve its true purpose.

Indian cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar has shared some exciting news with his fans, announcing that his daughter, Sara Tendulkar, has joined the Sachin Tendulkar Foundation as a director. In a heartfelt post on social media, the legendary cricketer expressed his pride and happiness about his daughter’s new role.

Sara Tendulkar, who holds a Master's degree in Clinical and Public Health Nutrition from University College London, has always maintained a low profile in the public eye, focusing on her education and personal growth. Now, with her new position at the foundation, Sara is set to make a significant contribution to the philanthropic work initiated by her father. Sachin, known for his charitable initiatives, has built the foundation to provide support and upliftment to various underprivileged communities, particularly in the areas of education and health.

In his tweet, Sachin shared his joy over Sara’s decision to take on this responsibility, acknowledging her educational achievements and commitment to making a difference. Fans and well-wishers have been quick to celebrate the news, showering the Tendulkar family with praises. Many have expressed admiration for Sara’s achievements and her readiness to take on a leadership role within the foundation.

This announcement has stirred excitement among the Tendulkar family’s supporters, who are eager to see how Sara’s expertise in nutrition and public health will help the foundation expand its reach and impact. With her background and knowledge, it’s expected that Sara will bring fresh perspectives to the foundation’s efforts, helping to shape initiatives aimed at improving the health and well-being of communities across India.

The news also marks a significant milestone for the Tendulkar family, with Sara stepping into a prominent role and continuing her family’s legacy of giving back to society. As fans await the positive changes Sara is set to bring to the Sachin Tendulkar Foundation, it’s clear that this is just the beginning of her journey in making a difference in the world, alongside her father.