Metaverse futures: Policy, power and the digital media landscape

Nyagadza, Brighton; Bashar, Abu; Tafadzwa Maziriri, Eugine; Alkadash, Tamer M.

Metaverse futures: Policy, power and the digital media landscape

Nyagadza, Brighton ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7226-0635, Bashar, Abu, Tafadzwa Maziriri, Eugine and Alkadash, Tamer M. (2026) Metaverse futures: Policy, power and the digital media landscape. Journal of Digital Media & Policy, 17 (2). pp. 191-197.

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1386/jdmp_00213_2

Abstract

As corporations, brands and digital platforms increasingly invest in these interconnected spaces, the metaverse is fast becoming a major field for content creation, engagement and commercialization. At the same time, these transformations raise pressing questions about governance, regulatory oversight and power relations within emerging digital ecosystems and markets. This Special Issue of the Journal of Digital Media & Policy explores the importance of the intersections of digital media, policy and the metaverse. The contributions assess how digital media industry structures participation, govern virtual environments and monetize user engagement through immersive marketing, influencer cultures and data-driven strategies. By bringing together interdisciplinary perspectives, the issue highlights the rising need for regulatory frameworks capable of balancing technological innovation with transparency, accountability and user agency in the rapidly expanding metaverse landscape.