A doctoral dissertation titled “Media Bias in Television Investigative Reporting and Its Impact on Audience Attitudes Toward Media Organizations,” by Diyar Abdullah Sari Al-Maliki, from the Department of Radio and Television, was discussed at the College of Mass Communication, University of Baghdad.
The discussion committee was chaired by Professor Dr. Ali Abbas, with Professor Dr. Bushra Al-Sanjari serving as supervisor. The committee included Professor Dr. Hussein Dubai, Professor Dr. Jassim Tarish, and Assistant Professor Dr. Haider Al-Qutbi, along with Professor Dr. Mohammed Ali as an external member.
The dissertation aimed to identify the main forms of media bias used in television investigative reporting and examine patterns of structural and non-structural bias and their manifestations in the construction of media messages. It also analyzed how hypotheses and media discourse are constructed and how narrative, visual, and audio elements are employed in covering the issues under investigation.
The study also examined the level of balance in presenting opinions, sources, and evidence; analyzed the media frames used to present issues; and identified similarities and differences in the use of bias techniques between “Ma Khafi A’zam”, broadcast by Al Jazeera, and “Alhurra Investigates,” broadcast by Alhurra.
The study adopted a descriptive approach, using the survey method in both its analytical and field components. The analytical component examined media bias techniques in television investigative reporting, while the field component focused on the attitudes of media professionals toward media organizations.
The findings showed that media bias in television investigative reporting is manifested through a range of structural and non-structural practices, extending from the selection and prioritization of issues to the construction of interpretive frames, selection of information, formulation of headlines and leads, and use of narrative, linguistic, and visual elements in presenting events.
The findings also revealed differences between “Ma Khafi A’zam” and “Alhurra Investigates” in the nature and prevalence of bias practices, as well as variations in the level of pluralism and balance in presenting sources and viewpoints. These differences reflect variations in editorial and institutional orientations.
The field study further indicated that audiences’ awareness of media bias techniques is associated with their evaluation of media coverage and their attitudes toward media organizations. This confirms that the way investigative reports are presented extends beyond the transmission of information to influencing audience perceptions and evaluations of a media organization’s professionalism and credibility.
The dissertation recommended strengthening professional and ethical standards in television investigative reporting, improving balance and pluralism in the presentation of issues, and developing information-verification mechanisms. These measures would contribute to more professional and objective investigative journalism and strengthen trust between media organizations and their audiences.
