Date of Award

8-2024

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

School

Communication

Committee Chair

Dr. Laura Stengrim

Committee Chair School

Communication

Committee Member 2

Dr. Brent Hale

Committee Member 2 School

Communication

Committee Member 3

Dr. Fei Xue

Committee Member 3 School

Communication

Committee Member 4

Dr. Edgar Simpson

Committee Member 4 School

Communication

Committee Member 5

Dr. David Davies

Committee Member 5 School

Communication

Abstract

This dissertation aims to measure Arabs' understanding of investigative reporting and willingness to engage in investigative reporting practices through a survey of 421 Arab citizens from countries that include the Eastern African, Northern African, Arabian Peninsula, and Fertile Crescent regions. It also aims to measure Arabs' understanding of gatekeeping and their willingness to serve as gatekeepers. Further, this dissertation emphasizes various hypotheses, including that increased investigative reporting would benefit the region's citizens and increase the quality of journalistic work. The gatekeeping theory fits into this dissertation because of the significant development of the news delivery process on social media in the Arab world. The findings reported that while respondents aged 34-41 exhibit a firmer grasp of investigative reporting, demographic variables like age, gender, education, and region don't affect their willingness to engage. Three factors (risk avoidance, check to power, and hardcore) form the reporting environment. Understanding investigative journalism significantly predicts a desire to participate in the industry, which is correlated with the belief that citizens' contributions enhance Arab journalism quality. Consequently, a predicted understanding of investigative reporting significantly correlates with a willingness to be involved in the industry. These findings shed light on how Arab citizens contribute to investigative reporting and its potential to increase journalistic quality in the Arab world. The findings suggest that the correlation between Arabs' interest in gate-watching and their interest in investigative reporting reflects their awareness of the active roles in the journalistic industry, such as monitoring media performance and uncovering hidden issues that might not be brought into the spotlight. Taken altogether, the findings supporting this study’s hypotheses suggest that Arabs (i.e., those not employed by a media organization) who better understand investigative reporting as a dynamic method of journalism are more likely to play the roles of gate watchers. This depicts the value of knowledge in promoting participatory media accountability and control mechanisms within Arab communities.

ORCID ID

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9264-7167

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