Media, Press Freedom, and Cultural Production in an Authoritarian Age

The Union for Democratic Communications, Project Censored, and the Park Center for Independent Media, in a spirit of collaboration and coalition-building, seek to bring together activists, artists, researchers, and legislators to foster critical approaches that support reimagining an infrastructure rich in equitable and democratic possibilities, where a healthy media ecosystem can thrive. We invite communication researchers, journalists, cultural producers, policy analysts, academics, and activists to submit abstracts that examine our theme, Media, Press Freedom, and Cultural Production in an Authoritarian Age.

Founded in 1976, Project Censored celebrates its 50th Anniversary in an era of misinformation, where press freedom and media independence are under unprecedented attack. At this critical juncture, Project Censored’s advocacy for freedom of the press, media literacy and critical thinking, and the Union for Democratic Communications’ critical analysis of communications industries and the fight to democratize them are more crucial than ever. Together, we are proud to co-host the conference “Media, Press Freedom and the Fight for Democracy in an Authoritarian Age,” October 23-24 2026, at Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York.