Hikama, a peer-reviewed journal for public administration and public policy published by the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies and the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies,
is pleased to announce an extension of the submission deadline for research proposals for its upcoming special issue titled "Media Policy and the Governance of Media Institutions in the Arab Countries." The new deadline for submitting proposals along with an up to date CV is Saturday, 15 November 2025.
This special issue seeks to critically investigate the evolving landscape of media policies in the Arab world by addressing a range of pressing and interrelated issues. These include the structural and legislative challenges confronting Arab media institutions, as well as the interplay between media systems and their broader political and social environments. The issue further aims to analyse the nature of existing media systems and their legal foundations, the implications of ownership patterns for media independence and professional integrity, and the complexities arising from transnational media flows. Particular attention will be given to the role of digital media in reshaping policy frameworks, the transformation of both “state media” and “community media” in response to technological innovations, and the strategies of media regulation and control. Moreover, contributions are encouraged to explore the role of media in contexts of political conflict and transition, and to examine the dynamic relationships between Arab media and global media systems.
Submission Guidelines:
Hikama invites research proposals for this special issue in one of two formats: (1) scholarly research articles or (2) policy papers. Submitted proposals should not exceed 400 words in length. Interested researchers are invited to submit research proposals, along with an updated CV, by
November 15, 2025. Upon acceptance of the proposal, the full manuscript—whether a research study or a policy paper—must be submitted no later than
March 31, 2026. All submissions must conform to the journal’s editorial and formatting
guidelines, as detailed in the accompanying reference document.
Manuscripts accepted for publication will undergo a rigorous peer-review process and will appear in a dedicated special issue of
Hikama, in accordance with the journal’s editorial schedule. The review process will include a scholarly workshop for the discussion of draft papers, in addition to the standard double-blind peer review procedure.
For further information or inquiries, please contact the Hikama Journal at: hikama@dohainstitute.edu.qa
*** For more details, please see the Background Paper.
