Articles for Vol. 19, Issue 2 (Jul-Dec, 2026) + Open Section "Avances"

In a context defined by climate emergency, deep social inequalities, and continuous digital transformation, the monographic issue “Voices and Democracy. Communication for Ecosocial Justice in the face of democratic involution” seeks to reflect on the role of group, community, and mediated communication in building a critical, active, and vigilant citizenry. It aims to analyze the potential of media, networks, and digital platforms to combat social atomization, authoritarianism, and anti-democratic leaderships. As a counter-hegemonic space, communication can play a crucial role in democratic coexistence, enabling the convergence of diverse knowledge systems, supporting social movements, and fostering a maximalist vision of democracy that goes beyond electoral moments.

In this regard, concepts such as 'voice' suggest that communication must be considered a fundamental right in democratic societies—not only as the ability to speak, but also to be heard and to influence the public sphere (Couldry, 2021). This proposal aligns with the long-standing tradition of Latin American participatory communication (Freire, 1998; Alfaro, 1990; Kaplún, 1985; Rodríguez, 2001; Mata, 2023; Magallanes & Ramos, 2017), which focuses on historically marginalized voices—women, working-class sectors, indigenous peoples—who today are claiming their right to challenge hegemonic narratives amid concentrated media landscapes. In this context of ecosocial crisis and democratic threats, we invite submissions that examine communication as a political space to share and confront human vulnerabilities (related to class, gender, cultural identity, etc.), express popular creativity, and imagine more sustainable futures.

We particularly welcome work on citizen collectives and media organizations with a social purpose that contribute to ethical and collective dimensions of activism and content across media, social networks, platforms, and AI systems. We value the inclusion of non-hegemonic epistemologies, non-intrusive methodologies towards communities, and unique or creative experiences for constructing narratives of justice, inclusion, and socio-environmental responsibility. We invite empirical studies, literature reviews, theoretical contributions, and documentation of socio-communicative projects or historical reconstructions.

Topical Axes:

1. Media Activism and the Construction of Counter-Hegemonies. Media and technological repertoires that promote democratic ideals and ecosocial justice from nonprofits, social movements, and other community-based or associative spaces.
2. Critical Audiovisual Media Against Discursive Authoritarianism. Communicative strategies and audiovisual productions that address democratic challenges in contexts of conflict, responding with frameworks of communicative justice and peace communication.
3. Citizen Expressions and Actions Against Anti-Democracy, Disinformation, and Hate Speech. Interventions, experiences, and theoretical reflections driven by citizen-based responses to disinformation, hate narratives, and threats to democracy.
4. AI, Attention Economies, and Influencers for Social Change. Technological change and social transformation in the context of attention economies and the rise of tools like AI, including proposals to (self-)regulate the work of influencers, science communicators, and digital activists.
5. Counter-Hegemonic Epistemologies and Methodologies. Theoretical and methodological contributions that incorporate critical and participatory approaches to communication studies.

 

This issue is coordinated by Alejandro Barranquero (abarranq@hum.uc3m.es), Mª Cruz Tornay Márquez (mctornay@centrosanisidoro.es) and Álex Iván Arévalo Salinas (alexarevalo@unex.es). It will be published in July 2026, but articles accepted ahead of this date will be made available online on the web of the journal.

The deadline for submissions is December 15, 2025.

 

Likewise, the journal continuously accepts free-themed manuscripts within the area of communication research that will be published in the Avances section of the issue together with those works belonging to the monograph. 

 

References:

Alfaro, R. (1990): ¿Participación para qué? Un enfoque político de la participación en la comunicación popular. Diálogos de la Comunicación, 22:59-78. 

Couldry, N. (2021). Why Voice Matters. Culture and Politics After Neoliberalism. Sage.

Freire, P. (1998). Extensión y Comunicación: la concientización en el medio rural. Siglo XXI. 

Kaplun, M. (1985). El comunicador popular. CIESPAL. 

Magallanes, C. & Ramos, J. (coords.) (2017). Miradas propias. Pueblos indígenas, comunicación y medios en la sociedad global. Ciespal.

Mata, M.C. (2023). In-disciplinada. Marita Mata. Textos reunidos (1980-2022). FES. 

Rodríguez, C. (2001). Fissures in mediascape. An international study of citizens´ media. Cresskill.  Hampton Press.