The Intersection of Literature and Censorship in Modern Society

Date: April 26^th, 2025

Place: santralistanbul Campus, Energy Museum Seminar Room

Contact email: literatureandcensorship2025@gmail.com

The Intersection of Literature and Censorship in Modern Society

As we navigate the complexities of an increasingly digital age, our access to the vast expanse of the Internet has unveiled new dimensions of censorship that significantly impact literary expression. The implications of this censorship are particularly pronounced as we grapple with issues that affect our private and public lives, challenging our understanding of truth and narrative.

In light of recent events, such as those following October 7, 2024, the online community has mobilized to document the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Yet, major platforms like Facebook and Instagram have taken steps to censor posts from journalists and users sharing crucial information, raising questions about the boundaries of freedom and control in digital discourse. Additionally, platforms like TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) have developed new linguistic strategies to navigate censorship, employing homophones to discuss sensitive topics while evading restrictions—an evolving lexicon that reflects the ways language adapts to bypass barriers and shapes our consumption of journalistic literature.

Recent incidents, such as the femicide case of Semih Çelik, illustrate how internet communities can perpetuate violent narratives, leading to the banning of platforms like Discord in Turkey. This raises essential questions: Does censorship serve a protective role, or does it inadvertently hinder discourse? And can ellipses and similar methods in literature effectively shield audiences from distressing content, or do they dilute the impact of crucial narratives? Should trigger warnings accompany all challenging content, even if the intention is to provoke critical reflection?

We invite submissions that explore the multifaceted relationship between censorship and literature, particularly in the following areas:

• Government censorship of writers
• The marginalization of minority and women writers worldwide
• The pros and cons of censorship in digital literature
• The state of literature and dramaturgy censorship in the 21st century
• Self-censorship in an era of 'freedom of speech'
• Ethical implications of self-censorship in social media journalism
• The role of academia in fostering or stifling digital evolution
• Geopolitical censorship and the implications of AI on global literature
• Censorship and the quest for truth in nonfiction literature

Our conference seeks to illuminate the profound effects of censorship on literary creation and interpretation. We welcome diverse perspectives and interdisciplinary approaches that engage with these critical issues. Join us in exploring how censorship shapes the landscape of modern literature and its implications for society at large.

Submission guidelines:

Deadline for submissions: January 27, 2025

Full name / Name of organization: İstanbul Bilgi University

Contact email: literatureandcensorship2025@gmail.com

Deadline for abstract submission: January 27^th, 2025

Abstract of 250 words with a maximum of 5 keywords, and a short bio-note of the author of 50 words.

Please send your abstracts and bios to literatureandcensorship2025@gmail.com by January 27^th, 2025. Responses will be sent out by email between January 28^th and February 2^nd, 2025.

Keywords: Censorship, literature, post-truth, digital era, interdisciplinary.

Note: This is an international conference, so all applicants from outside of Turkey are welcome. Also, note that travel grants will not be permitted since the conference will be hybrid.

Paper guidelines for accepted applicants:

• Articles must be original and unpublished. Submission will imply that it is not being considered for publication elsewhere.
• Written in Times New Roman 12, double spaced with 1″ margin on all sides, in doc/docx format.
• Between 4000-7000 words, inclusive of all citations.
• With in-text citations and a Works Cited list complying with MLA Manual of Style specifications.
• A separate cover page should include the author’s name, and designation, an abstract of 250 words with a short bio of 50 words. The main article should not in any way contain the author’s name. Otherwise, the article will not be considered.
• The contributors are responsible for obtaining permission to reproduce any material, including photographs and illustrations for which they do not hold copyright.