Abstract
News and information play a vital role in people’s lives. This paper investigates the perceived credibility of news media from the perspective of international Saudi students. Research found that the perceived credibility of news affects people’s evaluation of information and it differs between societies and communities. Research also found that people’s consumption and reliance of one outlet does not necessarily predicts its perceived credibility. Thus, this study investigates the perceived credibility among Saudi students studying abroad and how identity affects media choices in looking for political and social news about Saudi Arabia from sources from their home countries or from where they live. The data retrieved from a sample of (n=140) Saudi international students in USA and UK. The study is a quantitative and employs a survey instrument. Its findings suggest that Saudi Arabian international students rely on social media as their number one news source and they perceive it to be a very credible source more than any other outlet. Findings can contribute to literature of media consumption in diaspora and among minorities especially during crisis as this survey was distributed during the time of the crisis of trust between what was reported in Saudi Arabia vs. abroad.
Presenters
Yazeed AljasserLecturer, Media and Communication Department, King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
2022 Special Focus—Democratic Disorder: Disinformation, the Media and Crisis in a Time of Change
KEYWORDS
Credibility, Media usage, Media reliance, Diaspora, Saudi Arabia
