BEA2025

Welcome to BEA2025! Grab a cup of coffee and a muffin and get the inside knowledge on BEA initiatives, volunteer opportunities and journals. Panelists will give you tips on navigating BEA's annual convention and NAB Show.

Moderator: Ahmed El Gody, Orebro University
Hussein Amin, American University in Cairo; Case Study of Facebook in Egypt
Rasha Allam, American University in Cairo; Navigating Change: Assessing Social Media's Role in Reshaping News Distribution and Revenue Streams
Ahmed El Gody, Orebro University and Mahitab Ezz El Din, Linnaeus University; Clicks, Shares, and the Decline of Serious Journalism: A Content Analysis of Egyptian Newspapers in the Digital Age
Salma El Ghetany, American University in Cairo; Fast Moving Consumer News (FMCN): Context Deficit in News Consumption Among Younger Generations"

There are many things to consider when making a documentary: gear, crew members, who to interview, what to capture and eventually, how to edit hours of footage into a final cohesive and powerful film. With the added complexity of traveling overseas, it is a difficult but rewarding endeavor for any filmmaker. In this panel, we will discuss our approach to producing each of our individual short documentaries that were filmed in Korea and Vietnam and the challenges that we overcame along the way. Moderator: Hien Dinh, Dell Technologies
Panelists: Changhee Chun, University of Texas - Arlington; Joseph Balderas, University of Texas Arlington; Hien Dinh, Dell Technologies

This panel features faculty who have internationalized their course or curriculum to offer a more global perspective on the courses they teach. Such an effort is not difficult, but many faculty lack the knowledge of how to do it, or lack the understanding of why it is important. The panel will offer perspectives on why adding an international component is important, how to do so without completely rearranging the course or curriculum, and will offer some case studies that highlight the benefits of add an international component.
Moderator: Andrew M. Clark, University of Texas - Arlington
Panelists: Jeffrey Wilkinson, Florida A&M University; Roxane Coche, University of Florida; Erika Grodzki, Lynn University; Deborah Wilson David, Nottingham Trent University

With the rapid development of artificial intelligence and digital technologies, intelligent communication is profoundly reshaping the landscape of the media industry. Media schools worldwide are adapting to technological advancements while addressing the emerging challenges. This panel aims to explore the transformation and innovation of media education in the era of intelligent communication, examining China's experiences in higher education alongside global perspectives. Scholars and professors from institutions such as the Communication University of China, the Nankai University and the City University of Hong Kong will join international peers to share research findings and practical experiences. The forum aims to inspire new ideas and insights for the development of media education, fostering deeper exchanges and collaboration between Chinese and international scholars.
Moderators: Shuhua Zhou, City University of Hong Kong & Xingang Chen, Communication University of China
Panelists: Weihua Wu, Communication University of China
Peng Chen, Nankai University
Xi Zhuang, Nanjing Normal University
Xiaoan Guo, Chongqing University
Xiaocheng Liu, Lanzhou University
Mingxian Fan, Central South University
Hangyu Cao, Communication University of China
Yifan Huo, Communication University of China
Zhongrui Chen, Communication University of China
Yiying Li, Communication University of China

Join us for an enlightening panel that unveils the secrets to improving your media program on the global stage with BEA Latin America. Since its inception in 2019, BEA Latin America has hosted transformative conferences in vibrant cities like Merida, Mexico; Bogota, Colombia; and Quito, Ecuador. This session promises to equip you with practical strategies to expand your media program's reach, ensuring international publications, presentations, and funding opportunities. Don't miss this chance to gain invaluable insights and actionable ideas that will propel your broadcast program to new heights!
Moderator: Jose Soto, DePaul University
Panelists: Tony R. DeMars, Lamar University; Jose Soto, DePaul University; Jesus Ayala, California State University - Long Beach; Teresa C. Puente, California State University - Long Beach

International Division
Moderator: Roxane Coche, University of Florida
Debut Paper Competition
Debut 1st Place Paper: The Impact of Media on Citizens’ Knowledge of Current Affairs: A Comparison of Moroccan and United States Media Systems; Madeline Lepisto; Edward Paul Downs, UMD; Dana Lindaman, UMD
Open Paper Competition
Open 1st Place Paper: Global Streaming Effects on Message Dissemination of Borgen; Michael Sinclair, Regent University

Writing Division
Melissa Jackson, Piedmont University
Show Bible Competition
Debut 1st Place: The Devil's Rust; Matthew Nolte Evans, University of Georgia

This panel will explore the transformative impact of study abroad programs tailored for college students in sports and sports media. We will highlight how international experiences enhance cultural competence, expand professional networks, and offer unique industry insights. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how these opportunities can elevate students' careers and contribute to a more global perspective in sports and media.
Moderator: Eric Esterline, University of Florida
Panelists: Roxane Coche, Associate Professor and Department Chair, Media Production, Management and Technology - College of Journalism and Communications, University of Florida
Eric Esterline, Senior Lecturer and Director of Sports Journalism and Communication - College of Journalism and Communications, University of Florida
Chris Lawlor, Co-Founder and CEO, Learn International

Moderator: Rasha Allam, American University in Cairo
Panelists:
Rasha Allam, American University in Cairo; Media Perspectives and Narratives of Gaza- Israel War
This paper presents a content analysis of online news coverage of the Gaza-Israel conflict, focusing on both Arab and international news websites. By examining the narratives, themes, and the frames used, this study aims to show the different narratives that each platform uses in portraying the conflict. The findings reveal interesting outcomes on the use of language, story formats, and the use of multimedia reporting and underlying biases that may influence public perception. This study highlights the impact that the different narratives of coverage might have on audience understanding. The study aims to highlight the role of media in shaping narratives about the Gaza-Israel war contributing to discussion towards media responsibility and the media’s role in shaping public opinion.

Hussein Amin, American University in Cairo; Transnational Media Coverage of the War on Gaza
Abstract - This presentation will assess transnational news television media coverage of the war on Gaza. It examines unique challenges the journalists face when trying to cover this war? How does coverage of this war differ from coverage of other issues? What are the differences between Arab transnational news media coverage during the war on Gaza and the Western transnational media?

Nadine El Sayed, The American University in Cairo; This presentation will address how the same news agencies' coverage of the war on Gaza differed between their English and their Arabic versions (For example, BBC, CNN and AlJazeera), especially during the first month of the war.

Salma El Ghetany, American University in Cairo; The Civil War in Sudan No One is Talking About: A Case Study for Media of the Global North
This presentation will explore the critical gaps in media coverage of Sudan's ongoing civil war. By conducting a content analysis of select major media outlets in the Global North, the presentation will assess the extent to which this conflict has been overlooked or under-reported, sometimes at the expense of more coverage of other major conflicts such as the war on Ukraine or the war on Gaza. The analysis will highlight the media's role in shaping public perception and examine the implications of such coverage—or lack thereof—on global awareness. This study aims to provoke a discussion on the responsibilities of international media in reporting on conflicts in regions like Sudan.

Radio had to reinvent itself in the 1950s as television started taking its programing and audience, just as all goods, products or services must adapt to changes in their competitive environment. Including an important international perspective, this panel argues that traditionally distributed local radio still can reach a significant audience and be viable and important,and provides historical perspective and contemporary examples of local radio, suggesting a model for reinventing radio for today and the future.
Moderator: Tony R. DeMars, Lamar University
Panelists: Mardi Delport, Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT)
Andrew Morgan David, Morgan Media
Tony R. DeMars, Lamar University
Tim Zunckel, Boston Media House

The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program offers over 400 awards in more than 135 countries for U.S. citizens to teach, conduct research and carry out professional projects around the world. Obtaining this coveted award is extremely competitive and the process of approval is rigorous and opaque. Finalists are granted their award without much explanation of what got them across the finish line and unsuccessful applicants are left to grasp at straws as to where they went wrong. This panel seeks to demystify the process of applying for a Fulbright grant and examine the various opportunities. The panelists will discuss their successes and failures in navigating the Fulbright application process and their international appointments.

Moderator: James E. Machado, MFA, Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Panelists: Katerina Spasovska, Western Carolina University
Madeleine Liseblad, California State University, Long Beach
Andrew Sharma, Salisbury University
Richard Vogel, retired from Culver Stockton College