MCAP 2026 International Media Conference
Feb 11-12, 2026
Reclaiming Hope: Media, Activism & Social Justice
The 2026 MCAP international Media Conference, Reclaiming Hope: Media, Activism & Social Justice, seeks to explore the dual role of media in shaping societies—as a force for justice, hope, and social change, but also as a tool for political manipulation and misinformation. Media has historically amplified voices of resilience, enabled grassroots activism, and mobilized communities for collective good. Yet, it has equally been misused to distort facts, polarize societies, and serve narrow political agendas. This conference builds on the belief that, despite these challenges, media retains a transformative power to nurture hope, resilience, and civic values.
Media, in this context, can be understood not only as a channel for communication, interaction, and dissemination but also as a symbolic arena—a contested space where meanings are constructed, citizenship is defined, and competing visions of society are negotiated at local, national, regional, and global levels. To grasp the complexity of civil society actors and their diverse strategies, traditional distinctions such as online/offline, mainstream/alternative, or new/old media need to be transcended. Effective activism requires both autonomous channels of communication and engagement with mainstream platforms to reach wider audiences. While the Internet has expanded opportunities for activism, it also comes with challenges of access and fragmentation, which is why hybrid strategies combining digital and traditional media remain essential. Importantly, activism cannot be confined to the media realm alone; trust-building, collaboration, and direct action require offline spaces just as much as online ones.
At the same time, it is critical to recognize that media itself is under mounting pressure. Increasing censorship, political polarization, economic dependency, and threats to journalistic freedom have limited the ability of many media outlets to function as independent voices. This shrinking space for free expression undermines media’s democratic role and poses serious questions about how journalism can sustain its integrity while resisting pressures from political, corporate, and ideological interests.
Amid these challenges, the conference will also highlight the potential of solution-oriented or constructive journalism. Rather than merely documenting crises and conflicts, constructive journalism seeks to broaden narratives by focusing on responses, innovations, and possibilities for positive change. It emphasizes depth, inclusivity, and context, allowing citizens to see themselves not only as victims of circumstances but also as active participants in shaping solutions. Such approaches can help restore public trust in journalism and demonstrate how media can be reclaimed as a platform for nurturing hope, ethical storytelling, and civic imagination.
At the heart of these processes lies the collective will of citizens to bring about transformation. Social and cultural change today is increasingly about shifting attitudes, values, and behaviors, winning over hearts and minds before issues permeate the political agenda and shape law and policy. Unlike earlier struggles often associated with violence, contemporary activism is more closely tied to peaceful resistance, civic engagement, and cultural change, with media serving as the bridge that connects grassroots voices to broader publics and formal institutions.
Through this theme, MCAP 2026 aims to highlight success stories of activism and advocacy, where communities and individuals have effectively leveraged media for positive change. At the same time, it will critically examine the political dimensions of media, interrogating how it can both enable and constrain democratic participation. Key questions include: how can media be reclaimed as a space for ethical, inclusive storytelling? How do we counter misuse and misinformation without silencing diverse voices? How do we safeguard journalistic freedom under pressure? And most importantly, how can media nurture the goodness and will of the people in times of crisis and uncertainty?
The conference will bring together academics, practitioners, activists, and students through keynote addresses, panel discussions, and interactive workshops. Case studies of grassroots mobilization, digital activism, solution journalism, and community media will showcase how hope and integrity continue to thrive even in contested spaces. By documenting these stories and fostering dialogue across disciplines, Reclaiming Hope aspires to strengthen networks and inspire new strategies for ethical, people-centered media practices. Ultimately, MCAP 2026 positions itself as a platform for reimagining media’s role in building more just, inclusive, and compassionate societies.