Call for Papers – Special Issue

Political communication, situated at the intersection of political science and communication studies and broadly defined as “any purposeful communication about politics” (Denton & Woodward, 1990; McNair, 2003; Lilleker, 2014), encompasses a wide spectrum of interactions. These range from how socio-political information reaches voters, to how the media represents political parties, ideologies, and leaders; from the influence of media framing and agenda-setting on public and political agendas, to the modes of communication between decision-makers and the public.

The profound social changes of the 21st century have brought about equally significant transformations in political communication. The production, consumption, and distribution of political information have undergone radical shifts. Digitalization has opened new avenues for social and political interaction, with far-reaching effects on political information environments and the democratic attitudes and behaviors they shape. Disintermediation technologies, such as social media and instant messaging platforms, have transformed how voters communicate, mobilize, and participate. While these tools facilitate the rapid and large-scale circulation of information, they are also employed to spread disinformation and manipulate public opinion, undermining electoral processes and democratic deliberation.

Furthermore, the increasing spectacle of political communication, the fragmentation of media, the growing prevalence of misinformation, the rise of populist discourse, and the emergence of post-truth politics have not only reshaped the very nature of political communication but have also posed new challenges for scholars. In this context, despite the complexity and pace of these transformations, the field continues to benefit from robust theoretical foundations, the availability of big data, and new methodological approaches that expand the analytical toolkit of social scientists.

The Galatasaray University Journal of Communication invites submissions for its special issue on "Technology and Political Communication: New Trends and Strategies", aiming to bring together contemporary research to better understand the current political communication landscape in Turkey and worldwide. While the suggested topics listed below will be prioritized, all studies within the broader framework of political communication and technology are welcome.

Suggested Topics

Strategic Political Communication Management

Social Media and Political Communication

Computational Propaganda

Misinformation and Fake News

Political Polarization

Election Campaigns

Data-Driven Campaign Development and Management

Public Opinion Research

Political Marketing

Political Advertising

Micro-Targeting and Personalization

Rhetoric

Political Communication in Times of Crisis

Political Participation

Populism

Political Agenda-Setting

Political Leadership

Voter Behavior

Democratization and Political Engagement

Persuasion

Gender and Politics

Important Dates and Information

The submission system for this special issue will close on October 1, 2025.

All manuscripts will be evaluated in accordance with the ethical principles and publication policy of the Galatasaray University Journal of Communication.

Manuscripts must be prepared in accordance with the Galatasaray University Journal of Communication author guidelines.

Special Issue Editors
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özlem Danacı Yüce & Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nazlı Aytuna