Understanding the Influence of Alternative Political Media

Dear Colleagues,

The emergence of alternative political media has significantly transformed the contemporary information landscape, challenging traditional media institutions and redefining how political narratives are produced and disseminated. Alternative political media is defined as small-scale, politically radical media that utilize a broad spectrum of communication technologies and formats (Downing, 2001). These alternative platforms often operate outside conventional journalistic norms, leveraging new technologies, social networks, and grassroots movements to reach audiences who may feel disillusioned or neglected by traditional media and the political establishment. As a result, they play a crucial role in shaping political opinions, mobilizing communities, and influencing electoral outcomes.

Alternative political media is widely recognized for its vital role in organizing and consolidating social movements (Gerbaudo, 2012). Social movements often have limited access to traditional media and, operating outside well-established institutional structures, rely on alternative media for their organization. However, the influence of alternative political media is not without controversy. While these platforms can amplify marginalized voices and diversify public discourse and pluralism, they can also contribute to the spread of misinformation (Allcott & Gentzkow, 2016), intensify polarization (Kubin & Sikorky, 2021), and undermine trust in democratic institutions. Many of these short-lived, small-scale media outlets have left a particularly explosive mark on the political culture of many societies.

For this Special Issue, we welcome submissions exploring the multifaceted impact of alternative political media on society and politics. Topics of interest include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Case studies of alternative political media platforms and their influence on public opinion and electoral behavior;
• The role of algorithms and platform dynamics in the visibility and reach of alternative political content;
• Comparative analyses of alternative media systems in different political or cultural contexts;
• Ethical, legal, and regulatory challenges associated with alternative political media;
• The relationship between alternative media and traditional media ecosystems;
• The role of alternative political media in misinformation campaigns, conspiracy theories, or extremist movements;
• Strategies to mitigate the negative impacts of alternative political media while preserving its democratic potential;
• Intersections between alternative political media and emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence.

References

Allcott, Hunt, and Matthew Gentzkow. 2017. Social Media and Fake News in the 2016 Election. Journal of Economic Perspectives 31(2): 211–36.

Kubin, Emily, and Christian Von Sikorski. 2021. The role of (social) media in political polarization: a systematic review. Annals of the International Communication Association 45(3): 188–206.

Downing, John D.H., eds. 2001. “Alternative Media”. Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences. Amsterdam: Elsevier, 407-11.

Gerbaudo, Paolo. 2012. Tweets and the Streets: Social Media and Contemporary Activism. Pluto Press.

Prof. Dr. Hélder Prior
Guest Editor

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• alternative media
• journalism
• political communication
• public sphere
• social media
• disinformation
• polarization
• populism
• democracy