A doctoral dissertation titled “Media Discourse on Iraqi Satellite Channels and Its Impact on Shaping Public Attitudes Toward Government Performance” was discussed at the College of Mass Communication, University of Baghdad. The dissertation was submitted by Manhal Faiq Rashid, a researcher in the Department of Radio and Television.
The discussion committee was chaired by Professor Dr. Talib Abdul Majeed Dhiab, with Professor Dr. Adel Abdul Razzaq Al-Ghurairi as supervisor. The committee included Professor Dr. Bushra Dawood Saba, Professor Dr. Bushra Jameel Ismail, and Assistant Professor Dr. Tariq Ali Hamoud, along with Professor Dr. Wissam Mohammed Ahmed from Cairo University as an external member.
The dissertation examined the nature of media discourse presented by Iraqi satellite channels regarding government performance and its impact on shaping the attitudes of Iraqi audiences. The study analyzed media propositions, argumentation and persuasion techniques, frames of reference, discourse orientations, as well as the visual elements and television techniques used in producing media discourse.
The researcher adopted the survey method, combining analytical and field approaches. The analytical study covered 102 episodes from three television programs: Wajib Al-Saraha on Al Iraqiya, Ala Al-Hafa on Al Sharqiya, and Al Masafa Zero on Al Rabiaa, with 34 episodes analyzed from each program. The field study included 1,169 respondents from Baghdad, Basra and Nineveh governorates, aiming to measure the relationship between exposure to media discourse and public attitudes and knowledge regarding government performance.
The analytical findings showed that political themes dominated the media discourse of the three channels, followed by security and economic themes. Government performance was the leading political topic on Al Iraqiya and Al Rabiaa, while parliamentary elections dominated Al Sharqiya’s political discourse. The oil and gas sector ranked first among economic topics across the three channels.
The field findings showed that Ala Al-Hafa on Al Sharqiya ranked first in audience viewing, followed by Wajib Al-Saraha on Al Iraqiya and Al Masafa Zero on Al Rabiaa. The findings also highlighted strong audience interest in political issues and topics, indicating that reliance on information provided by television talk shows contributes to reducing ambiguity, increasing public knowledge and shaping attitudes toward government performance. The study also found a statistically significant correlation between exposure to media discourse and the formation of public attitudes.
The study recommended providing balanced and objective national media discourse, strengthening coordination among public, private and partisan media institutions, research centers and government bodies, and limiting emotionally charged and provocative media discourse. It also called for enhancing the supervisory role of the Communications and Media Commission to address inciting and controversial discourse, alongside implementing continuous training programs and workshops to develop media professionals’ skills.
The study forms part of the College of Mass Communication, University of Baghdad’s research efforts to advance studies examining the relationship between media and audiences and the role of media in shaping knowledge and attitudes toward governmental and political issues. It also aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 16, “Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions,” by supporting access to information and promoting effective and transparent institutions.
