Research student Sana Yusuf Saqr A recent postgraduate research study indicated that the various organizations of national media in the Kingdom of Bahrain play a pivotal role in boosting citizenship and public opinion under the reform project of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
The media most visited by Bahraini audience is the internet at 36.75% followed by TV at 28.5%, local newspapers at 21.5% and radio at 13.25%.
The study which is the first of its type in the Kingdom conducted by research student Sana Yusuf Saqr in the Ahlia University as part of her graduation requirements for a master’s degree, revealed that 55% of the research specimen always, 35% frequently and 10% scarcely followed local news through the media. She said that 71% of the research sample spent from 1 to 2 hours, 15% spent from 2 to 4 hours and 14% spent 3 hours or more per day watching local news.
The study is one of leading field studies aimed to garner, analyze data on most remarkable types of Bahraini audience of the media, the level of awareness about the concept of citizenship and belonging and the nature of issues which have the greatest attention and the degree of such attention, explaining that the longest period spent by Bahrainis audience who followed local news on the media between 4 pm until 10 pm, 10 am until 4 pm and between 10 pm until 4 am.
The study adopted the media survey technique on a random specimen comprising 400 (male/female) subjects from various age groups and education levels.
The study aims to find out about the reality of local media, their role in increasing people’s awareness about citizenship under the reform project of HM the King, especially regarding issues of public opinion, freedoms, etc.
The most widely-spread notion among Bahraini audience regarding the meaning of citizenship was that it means educating children about the idea of allegiance to the Homeland. This connotation was favored by 93%. However, the connotation of preserving national organizations was favored by 92%, followed by the notion of loyalty to work was favored by 89%, followed by the notion of defending the Homeland at times of danger which was favored by 88.8%.
Source: BNA