April 22-23, 2027

University of National and World Economy, Sofia, Bulgaria

Deadline: September 18, 2026 

Over the last decade, media and information literacy have become a central response to mis- and disinformation. Studies show that well-designed media literacy interventions can strengthen critical engagement with news, improve people’s ability to distinguish credible from deceptive content, and reduce misperceptions in complex, platformised information environments (Su, Borah, & Xiao, 2022; Anstead et al., 2025; Guess et al., 2020). UNESCO and the MILID network similarly frame media and information literacy as essential for open, inclusive and sustainable development, as it equips people to access, evaluate, use and create information across media and digital platforms. At the same time, journalism remains more than a profession. It is a democratic institution that holds power to account, supports informed public debate and helps citizens make sense of social, political, economic and cultural change. The central question of this conference topic is how journalism, and the wider media environment in which it operates, can contribute to sustainable development not only by reporting on progress or failure, but also by helping build more informed, inclusive and resilient societies. This question has become more urgent after the pandemic and continuing debates about the “infodemic” and the quality of information flows. Newsrooms are increasingly seen not only as content producers, but also as actors in promoting media, news and information literacy. Research on algorithmically curated news and young people’s news use shows that recommendation systems shape how audiences encounter journalism, making it necessary to connect news literacy with media and algorithmic literacy in education, newsroom practice and public communication (Notley et al., 2024). Studies of clickbait, paywalls and advertising-driven business models show how the pursuit of attention can encourage sensationalism, reduce topic diversity and weaken local and public-interest journalism, with consequences for trust and informed citizenship (Dhillon, Panda, & Hemphill, 2025). Research on influencers, sponsored content and advertising disclosures also highlights challenges created by blurred boundaries between editorial and commercial communication (De Jans & Hudders, 2020).

We welcome empirical and theoretical contributions that examines the relationships between journalism, media literacy and sustainable development, how those relationships are being tested by crisis and technological transformation, and what conditions would need to be in place for journalism and literacy practices to genuinely support more informed, inclusive and resilient societies.

Scholars can opt for either thematic or open submissions. 

Thematic submissions

The conference aims to bring together a diverse mix of scholars working at the intersection of journalism, sustainable development, and media and digital literacy. It invites papers that critically examine how journalism and journalistic practices can contribute to sustainable futures, and that situate these dynamics within broader political, economic, technological, and cultural contexts. Both theoretical/conceptual and empirical contributions are welcome.

Submissions responding to the conference theme can address (but are not limited to) the following areas:

• The role of media organizations in building media literacy – should the media themselves educate their audiences?

• Personalized content and its impact on media literacy.

• Algorithmic content selection and the need for a new type of media literacy – how social platforms shape the information we see; how this requires higher levels of critical literacy.

• From clicks to truth: how advertising models influence audience media literacy – clickbait vs. Quality journalism; economic pressure on content.

• Fake news as an economic model: A challenge to media literacy – who benefits from disinformation; why it spreads so successfully.

• Between content and advertising: the role of influencers and the need for media literacy, recognizing sponsored content; trust and manipulation.

• Media ownership concentration and its effects on media literacy – diversity of viewpoints; critical thinking.

• Ai-generated content and the new dimensions of media literacy – deepfakes, automated news; how audiences need to adapt.

• Monetization of news and its impact on trust and media literacy – paywalls; quality vs. Accessibility.

• Global media platforms and local media literacy – how global companies influence local audiences.

Please emphasize in your abstract how you see your paper responding to the conference theme “Sustainable Development Through Quality Journalism and Media Literacy.” 

Open submissions 

While we particularly encourage submissions that engage directly with the 2027 conference theme “Sustainable Development Through Quality Journalism and Media Literacy,” we also aim to provide an open forum for the latest research in journalism studies in all its facets. Contributors are therefore invited to submit abstracts for open sessions that are not required to address the theme but may speak to any aspect of journalism and media, broadly understood. Both theoretical/conceptual and empirical contributions are welcome. 

Submission guidelines

Abstracts should be no more than 500 words (excl. references, tables and graphs) and should be submitted no later than 18 September 2026 via this form 

The abstract must include an indication whether you submit to the conference theme or to the open panels. As we aim for a conference that provides extensive space for reflection, discussion and connection, we also ask you to indicate your preferred presentation format. This could include:

• A traditional research paper presentation in a thematically linked session

• A proposal for a pre-constituted panel

• Participation in a thematically focused roundtable discussion

• High-density pitch sessions

Only one proposal per first author can be accepted (submitting further abstracts as co-author is accepted). Diversity in nationality, gender and country of affiliation can be prioritized in selection. Notifications of acceptance will be sent in mid-to end of November 2026. 

Submission will undergo scholarly peer-review and adhere to the established ECREA Journalism Studies section rule: For every abstract you are listed as a presenter/contributor, you are expected to review 2-3 abstracts (this applies to all authors listed on the paper submission form). All submitting authors should ensure that all contributing authors are aware of their submission. 

The organizers will provide proof of conference attendance/presentation upon request.

PhD Colloquium

The day before the main conference, together with the section’s YECREA representative, we will organize the 7th ECREA Journalism Studies Section PhD Colloquium on 21 April 2027 at the University of National and World Economy. Further details about this event will soon be published on this webpage.

Conference Organisation

The conference will be hosted by Department of Media and Public Communications (UNESCO Chair on Media and Information Literacy and Cultural Policies for Sustainable Development) of the University of National and World Economy, organized by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Maria Nikolova, Sr. Asst. Prof. Dr. Ivan Valchanov, Sr. Asst. Prof. Dr. Vesislava Antonova. The organisation committee will be supported also by Prof. Dsc . Ivaylo Hristov, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Svetla Tzankova, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Stella Angova, Sr. Asst. Prof. Dr. Diana Andreeva-Popyordanova, Sr. Asst. Prof. Dr. Iliya Valkov, Asst. Prof. Dr. Georgi Minev, Asst. Prof. Dr. Valeria Pacheva, Asst. Prof. Dr. Sevar Ivanov. The city of Sofia is a capital of Bulgaria, and the airport is 20-30 min. away from the central part of the city by taxi or 45 min. away by metro or bus. 

If you have any questions, contact the conference organizing committee at  ecreajournalism2027@unwe.bg 

Registration will open in January 2027. More information about the conference will be posted regularly on this webpage. Logistical information about hotels and travel will be posted on the same page.

PLEASE NOTE: The conference will take place in-person only and we are unable to accommodate requests for virtual presentations.

Timeline

• Monday 1June 2026 - submissions open

 • Friday 18 September 2026 - deadline for abstract submissions

 • Mid November 2026 - acceptance notification and registration opens

 • After Christmas 2026/early January - first draft of the programme published

 • Friday 26 February 2027 - deadline for delegate registration