Beyond A Fragmented Account of Conflicts in Communication: An Integrative Framework of Informational Conflicts

Wenqing Zhao (Grady PhD Student), Yan Jin, Toni van der Meer, Michael Hameleers, and Xuerong Lu (Grady PhD Alum). “Beyond A Fragmented Account of Conflicts in Communication: An Integrative Framework of Informational Conflicts.” Paper accepted for Annual Conference of the International Communication Association (ICA), June 2024, Gold Coast, Australia.Abstract: Numerous global trends related to communicative conflicts  – like widespread public dissent, the increasing fragmentation of the digital media landscape, the fast-paced dissemination of mis- and disinformation, polarization of public debates, and delegitimizing populist rhetoric – form a perfect storm that significantly disrupts today’s society on multiple levels. Against this backdrop, research on content, causes, consequences, and counter-strategies of conflicts has been central to the discipline of communications science and beyond over the past decades. Although many of these societal challenges are rooted in communication problems similar in nature, current research lines appear to move forward in isolation, creating largely disconnected streams of research that could benefit from more integration. With this paper, we aim to bring together disconnected strands of literature in communication science that revolve around conflicts in mass and digital communication under the umbrella term “informational conflict.” This framework synthesizes existing knowledge, enabling us to better understand the root causes of increasing cleavages in society, as well as potential solutions leading to conflict resolution.