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 The European Communication Research and Education Association (ECREA), in partnership with Lusofona University, will organise the 5th European Communication Conference (ECC). The Conference, due to take place in Lisbon from 12 to 15 November 2014, has chosen as its overarching theme, “Communication for Empowerment: Citizens, Markets, Innovations”. The organisers call for proposals in all fields of communication and media studies, but particularly invite conceptual, empirical, and methodological  proposals on inter-and transcultural communication phenomena and/or on comparative research. that link the general conference theme, as developed below, to the fields pertinent to each ECREA section. Communication for Empowerment: Citizens, Markets, InnovationsThe ubiquitous presence of the media in contemporary society has led to the macro-institutions of society increasingly adapting themselves to (new) media logics , whereby there ceases to be a clear-cut separation between media and other social/cultural institutions. This situation begs for an analysis of how the fast-paced social and technological innovations of our media ecology alter various aspects of daily life, transforming national boundaries into transnational spaces, with resonance on markets and consumption. At the same time that the liberalization of content creation brought about by new media paves the way for innovations and the democratization of the creative economy through the production and distribution of user-generated content, we increasingly witness the prevalence of large economic groups in the design, control and filtering of information. Moreover, the interactive dimension of new technologies not only allows for the voluntary visibility of individuals and groups, but also acts as a means of disciplinary surveillance. As such, increasing cultural, economic and technological convergence implies the mastering of new literacies that allow for the use and critical understanding of both media form and media content. Reflection on the regulatory politics of the communication sector is thus paramount to facilitating both greater mobilization as well as political and cultural participation on the part of the common citizen in public space. Further, we should rethink the necessary balance between the public interest and the interests of the market, so as to ensure thepromotion of citizenship, social capital and social inclusion.Proposals for panels, individual papers and posters can be submitted to one of the 17 ECREA sections through the conference website at http://ecrea2014.ulusofona.pt/ from 1 December 2013 to 28 February 2014. For section overviews, please see &#60; http://ecrea2014.ulusofona.pt/sections.html &#62;. Alternatively, please access the ECREA site at &#60;www.ecrea.eu&#62;.Abstracts should be written in English and contain a clear outline of the argument, the theoretical framework, and, where applicable, methodology and results. The preferred length of the individual abstracts is between 400 and 500 words (the maximum is 500 words).Panel proposals, which should consist of five individual contributions, combine a panel abstract with five individual abstracts, each of which are between 400 and 500 words. Participants may submit more than one proposal, but only one paper or poster by the same first author will be accepted.First authors can still be second (or third, etc.) author of other papers or posters, and can still act as chair or respondent of a panel.All proposals should be submitted through the conference website from 1 December 2013 to 28 February 2014. Early submission is strongly encouraged. Please note that this submission deadline will not be extended.Important DatesLaunch of CfP: 1 December 2013Deadline for abstracts: 28 February 2014Notification of Acceptance: 30 April 2014End of Early Bird Registration Fee: 31 August 2014Deadline for Online Registration: 31 October 2014The Host OrganisersManuel José Damásio (President of the Local Organising Committee)Célia Quico (Executive Coordinator of the Local Organising Committee)For more informations about Submission, Organisation, Registration and contact : http://ecrea2014.ulusofona.pt 