Iraqi Audience Attitudes Toward the Use of User-Generated Videos and Images in Enhancing Persuasion in Breaking News on Satellite Channels

Abstract

This study aims to identify the attitudes of the Iraqi audience toward the use of user-generated videos and images in enhancing persuasion in breaking news on satellite channels, by examining the level and nature of these attitudes, as well as measuring the role of this type of content in enhancing news credibility and the audience’s level of persuasion. The study also seeks to determine the relationship between audience characteristics and the extent of their influence by user-generated visual content in the context of breaking news.

The study adopts a descriptive survey method. Data were collected through a questionnaire distributed to a convenience random sample of (150) respondents from the Iraqi audience who follow breaking news on satellite channels. The data were statistically analyzed to identify audience attitudes and their level of influence by this type of content, in addition to determining the effect of trust in visual content on enhancing persuasion.

The findings revealed that the attitudes of the Iraqi audience toward the use of user-generated videos and images tend to be positive, and that this type of content contributes to enhancing persuasion in breaking news, particularly when there is a high level of trust in the source. The results also showed a statistically significant relationship between the intensity of exposure to breaking news and the level of influence by visual content, as well as indicating that perceived credibility plays a crucial role in increasing the audience’s level of persuasion with the news message.