Utilizing Public Media Platforms to Motivate Education and Awareness of Covid-19 Pandemic: A Field Study on a Sample of 18 Arab Countries

Authors

  • Dr. Haitham Alawaad, Mahmoud Alawaad

Abstract

The study aims to illustrate the role of mass media in forming awareness and knowledge among members of society regarding the Covid-19 crisis. The goal of the study is to shed light on the role of conventional and modern media platforms in dealing with this pandemic and assess its credibility in delivering the correct news and information about this crisis to the public in the Arab countries. The researcher used the descriptive analytical method through the method of surveying the media and electronic platforms used by the public in the Arab world in communicating with state agencies to obtain various information related to the COVID-19 crisis. The study concluded a number of results such as the success of media briefings and press conferences held by Arab governments during the Corona crisis, in addition to the emergence of the spokesperson in this crisis in a convincing and logical manner. The research also illustrated the success of the media in educating society about precautionary and preventive measures through television, radio programs and social media sites. The study also found that 60% of the respondents were concerned during the crisis, following up consistently all news related to the country's efforts to combat the virus.

 Finally, it was noted that doctors prevailed the most through the mass media platforms being the first line of defends, unlike some social media celebrities who lost massive followers as their information about the crisis was not trustworthy and as some of them helped in spreading incorrect rumours among the public.

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Published

2020-08-10

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Section

Articles