A master’s thesis titled “The Role of Iraqi Satellite Channels’ Social Media Pages in Shaping Women’s Attitudes Toward Amendments to the Personal Status Law” was discussed at the College of Mass Communication, University of Baghdad. The thesis was submitted by Haneen Mohammed Abdul Ali, a researcher in the Department of Radio and Television.
The discussion committee was chaired by Assistant Professor Dr. Tariq Ali Hamoud, with Assistant Professor Dr. Hussein Jassim as supervisor. Assistant Professor Dr. Rana Al-Shujairi served as a committee member, alongside Professor Dr. Haider Shallal, who served as an external member.
The study sought to examine the extent to which women rely on the social media pages of Iraqi satellite channels to obtain information about amendments to the law, assess the credibility of the published content, identify the channels most followed by women in this regard, and explore differences in attitudes according to demographic variables.
The research adopted the survey method within the framework of descriptive studies, using a questionnaire and a measurement scale to collect data. The sample comprised 400 female respondents from Dhi Qar Governorate, with geographical distribution taken into consideration based on the latest available statistics from the Ministry of Planning.
The findings showed that the overwhelming majority of respondents opposed the proposed amendments, while also indicating a high level of reliance on the social media pages of Iraqi satellite channels as a source of information about the law.
The study also revealed a noticeable cognitive impact of these pages, particularly through clarifying legal concepts and reducing ambiguity. Issues related to child custody ranked first among the topics of greatest interest to the respondents, followed by marriage to a second wife.
The findings further indicated a clear emotional impact of the published content, reflected in increased feelings of disappointment, fear and anxiety among the respondents. Meanwhile, the behavioral dimension recorded high levels of ability to express positions, voice opinions and interact with issues related to the amendments. The ability to clearly express one’s position when discussing the amendments ranked first.
The study recommended strengthening analytical and explanatory content on satellite channels’ social media pages and expanding the use of interactive tools and opinion polls. It also called for diversifying platforms for reaching audiences and providing specialized, accessible content on women’s and family rights, while enhancing the credibility of information through reliable legal sources and qualified experts.
The study further called for managing public discussions in a more balanced manner, taking into account the psychological and emotional dimensions of audiences, and strengthening media coverage of sensitive family issues.
The study comes as part of the College of Mass Communication, University of Baghdad’s commitment to advancing media research addressing digital transformations and their impact on societal issues. It also seeks to strengthen the role of media in promoting legal and social awareness, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 5 on gender equality and Goal 16 on peace, justice and strong institutions.
