The Performance of the Saudi Media and Bahraini Conflict - Dissertation Example

?6. Discussion This study commenced from the premise that the performance of the Saudi media was in accordance to the itarian press model during the occurrence of Bahraini conflict. It is a general hypothesis that the Saudi media would be subject to censorship during the coverage of the Bahraini conflict, in particular during the actual riots and protests that took place at the streets of Bahrain and that the coverage of the Bahraini conflict would be influenced by lobby groups such like those led by religious leaders, in addition to national pride and patriotism, who would apply pressure in order to either support or oppose the policy of the administration in the wake of the opposition aggression. It was expected that the Saudi media would have provided the official political attitude towards the Bahraini conflict by shaping the beliefs of the public, at large, and that of the elite. The purpose of this chapter is to provide answers the original question that how the news papers in Saudi Arabia followed and covered the events in Bahrain taking place from February 14 to March 16 this year. In order to find the answer to this question, it is important to consider that whether the Saudis were provided a fair and equal opportunity to evaluate the two sides of the Bahraini conflict through analyzing the themes of the news and the leading stories published in the Saudi print media by drawing the information acquired from the content analysis and interpreting it in the wake of the various press theories. 6.1 The Performance of the Saudi Print Media during the Bahraini conflict In the analysis of the Saudi print media performance, the discussion here take in to account the news content that have been published in Al yaum Newspaper and in Al Riyadh Newspaper during the occurrence of protests and riots at the streets of Bahrain. The performance of the Saudi Arabian print media can be viewed, firstly, from the perspective of the sources that have utilized in the coverage of the Bahraini events. Undoubtedly, the journalists in Saudi Arabia would have been concerned about the quality of the news content that proclaims adherence to professional standards of news related to accuracy, timeliness, balance, objectivity, and relevance ( Rumbal & Adam, 1990: 93). Previously in this study, it has been mentioned that the coverage of the conflict in Bahrain by the Saudi Arabian press would depend extensively on the domestic sources in comparison to the foreign sources, which may be true by looking at each source individually, however, the Saudi print media seemed to be more dependent over the SPA as compared to any other single source. Since the Saudi media is indirectly governed or supervised by the Saudi Arabian government, thus this dependence was anticipated, and it is the duty of the press to carry out the agenda of the government through briefings from the SPA that lies under the supervision of Saudi Arabian Ministry of Information. Nevertheless, if the information sources are conglomerated into external and domestic sources, it get evident that the Saudi Arabian print media relied more on external sources, specifically on AFP, Reuters, UPI, AP, and other such agencies as compared to domestic sources. It is expected that this would impact the geographical perspective of the news coverage by the Saudi media, which suggests that it would emphasize over some areas of the world while neglecting the others. This is specifically significant provided the frequent research findings that the material of the Saudi media was more influential in topics that relate to the Bahraini conflict about which the readers in Saudi Arabia were ill-informed previously In fact, it was clearly found that the Saudi Arabian print media coverage of the Bahraini conflict emphasized more on to stories that emerged from the Middle East, the Western Europe, the USA, and other such foreign locations in comparison to those that emerge in the Saudi Arabia. The findings of the content analysis have been provided below: The first question: What is the topic format which the newspaper used in covering Bahraini events during study period? Table (1) The topic format The topic format Alyaum Newspaper Riyadh Newspaper Number of News percentages Number of News percentages News 32 76.2% 44 81.6% Article 3 7.1% 2 3.7% Column 7 16.7% 6 11.1% Advertising - - 1 1.8% caricature - - 1 1.8% total 42 100% 54 100% Table shows the topic format which used by "Alyaum Newspaper "and "Riyadh Newspaper" to cover the Bahraini events during the study period , and we found from the table that the most important newspaper templates in "Alyaum Newspaper" was News and this is the same result in "Riyadh Newspaper" with differences in percentages whish is in "Alyaum Newspaper" 76.2% which means that 32 topic from all the 42 topics are News, and in "Riyadh Newspaper" 81.6% which means that 44 topic from all the 54 topics are News. The Second topic format is the same one in both newspapers which is Column but again with differences in percentages which is in "Alyaum Newspaper" 16.7% which means that 7 topics from all the 42 topics are Column, and in "Riyadh Newspaper" 11.1% which means that 6 topic from all the 54 topics are Column. The third topic format is also the same one in both newspapers which is Article but again with differences in percentages which is in "Alyaum Newspaper" 7.1%which means that 3 topics from all the 42 topics are Article, and in "Riyadh Newspaper" 3.7% which means that 2 topic from all the 54 topics are Article. In "Alyaum Newspaper" there isn’t any Advertising or Caricature about Bahraini events during the study period, but in "Riyadh Newspaper” they used advertising by 1.8% which means that we found only 1topic from all the 42 topics was an Advertising and it was about a book focuses on Bahraini events, and also we found only 1Caricature by 1.8% in "Riyadh Newspaper” refers to Bahraini events. All that mean that Saudi newspapers focuses on Follow developments in the situation of Bahrain and the most useful format can do that is the news. The second question: What is the topic placement which the newspaper used in covering Bahraini events during study period? Table (2) The topic placement in newspaper The topic placement in newspaper Alyaum Newspaper Riyadh Newspaper Number of News percentages Number of News percentages Main page 2 4.8% 2 3.7% Right internal page 22 52.4% 32 59.3% Left internal page 18 42.8% 20 37% total 42 100% 54 100% Table shows the topic placement in newspaper which used by "Alyaum Newspaper "and "Riyadh Newspaper" to cover the Bahraini events during the study period , and we found from the table that the most placement used in "Alyaum Newspaper" was Right internal page and this is the same result in "Riyadh Newspaper" with differences in percentages which is in "Alyaum Newspaper" 52.4%which means that 22 topic from all the 42 topics are in the Right internal page , and in "Riyadh Newspaper" 59.3%which means that 32 topic from all the 54 topics are in the Right internal page. The Second place is the same one in both newspapers which is Left internal page but again with differences in percentages which is in "Alyaum Newspaper" 42.8%which means that 18topics from all the 42 topics , and in "Riyadh Newspaper" 37%which means that 20topic from all the 54 topics. The third topic placement in newspaper is also the same one in both newspapers which is the Main page but again with differences in percentages which is in "Alyaum Newspaper" 4.8%which means that 2 topics from all the 42 topics are in the Main page, and in "Riyadh Newspaper" 3.7% which means that 2 topic from all the 54 topics are in the Main page. All that means that Saudi newspapers put the most of their topics about Bahraini events at the right internal page which is not the most important place and that mean that Bahraini events were not the most important issue in the Saudi newspapers agenda. The third question: What is the topic Position in page which the newspaper used in covering Bahraini events during study period? Table (3) The topic Position in page The topic Position in page Alyaum Newspaper Riyadh Newspaper Number of News percentages Number of News percentages top 21 50% 39 72.3% bottom 4 9.5% 1 1.8% center 17 40.5% 14 25.9% total 42 100% 54 100% Table shows the topic Position in page which used by "Alyaum Newspaper "and "Riyadh Newspaper" to cover the Bahraini events during the study period , and we found from the table that the most position used in "Alyaum Newspaper" was the top of the page and this is the same result in "Riyadh Newspaper" with differences in percentages which is in "Alyaum Newspaper" 50%which means that 21 topic from all the 42 topics are in the top of the page, and in "Riyadh Newspaper" 72.3%which means that 39topic from all the 54 topics are in the top of the page. The Second position is the same one in both newspapers which the center of the page but again with differences in percentages which is in "Alyaum Newspaper" 40.5%which means that 17topics from all the 42 topics are in the center of the page, and in "Riyadh Newspaper" 25.9%which means that 14topic from all the 54 topics are in the center of the page. The final position in page is also the same one in both newspapers which is the bottom of the page but again with differences in percentages which is in "Alyaum Newspaper" 9.5%which means that 4topics from all the 42 topics are in the bottom of the page, and in "Riyadh Newspaper" 1.8%which means that 1topic from all the 54 topics are in the bottom of the page. All that means that Saudi newspapers put the most of their topics about Bahraini events at the top of the page which is the most important position in the page and that Saudi newspapers want to attract the reader's consideration to the Bahraini events in the page. The fourth question: Is the topic which covering Bahraini events during study period has a headline at the front page in the newspaper? Table (4) The headline at the front page The headline at the front page Alyaum Newspaper Riyadh Newspaper Number of News percentages Number of News percentages yes 15 35.7% 20 37% no 27 64.3% 34 63% total 42 100% 54 100% Table shows the Bahraini events topics which have a headline at the main page in the newspaper, we found that most topics in "Alyaum Newspaper " have not a headline at the front page in the newspaper as the table shown only 15 topics have a headline at the front page in the newspaper by 35.7%, also "Riyadh Newspaper" has only 20 topics have a headline at the front page in the newspaper by 37%. And that means that Bahraini events were not the most important issue in the Saudi newspapers agenda although Bahrain was full of events in that period. The fifth question: What is the Bahraini events topic area in newspaper? Table (5) The topic area The topic area Alyaum Newspaper Riyadh Newspaper Number of News percentages Number of News percentages small 12 28.6% 12 22.3% medium 9 21.4% 14 25.9% big 21 50% 28 51.8% total 42 100% 54 100% Table shows the Bahraini events topic area used in "Alyaum Newspaper "and "Riyadh Newspaper" during the study period , and we found from the table that the most in area used in both "Alyaum Newspaper" and "Riyadh Newspaper" was the big area with differences in percentages which is in "Alyaum Newspaper" 50% which means that 21topic from all the 42 topics are big, and in "Riyadh Newspaper" 51.8%which means that 28topic from all the 54 topics are big The Second topic area is differ from "Alyaum Newspaper " to "Riyadh Newspaper" , we found that in Alyaum Newspaper " The Second topic area was small with 28.6% which means that 12topics from all the 42 topics are small and the least area used in this newspaper was medium by 21.4% which means that 9 topics from all the 42 topics are medium. But in "Riyadh Newspaper" The Second topic area was medium with 25.9% which means that 14 topics from all the 54 topics are medium and the least area used in this newspaper was small by 22.3%which means that12topics from all the 54 topics are small. All of that mean that Saudi newspapers focuses on Follow all the developments in the situation of Bahrain in details and make the reader know as much information as possible about Bahraini events. The sixth question: is the topic which covering Bahraini events during study period has any visuals in it? Table (6) The topic treatment with visuals The topic treatment Alyaum Newspaper Riyadh Newspaper Number of News percentages Number of News percentages yes 21 50% 28 51.8% no 21 50% 26 48.2% total 42 100% 54 100% Table shows the topic treatment with visuals which used by "Alyaum Newspaper "and "Riyadh Newspaper" to cover the Bahraini events during the study period , and we found from the table that : in "Alyaum Newspaper" the ratio between topics that have images in it equal with the topics that have not any images in it, but in "Riyadh Newspaper" they used topics with images more as we seen in the table its percentage is 51.8% which means that 28 topic from all the 54 topics have images. And that means that Saudi newspapers want to attract the reader's consideration and Confirm the information. The seventh question: What is the topic trend (used tone) which the newspaper used in covering Bahraini events during study period? Table (7) The topic trend (used tone) The topic trend (used tone) Alyaum Newspaper Riyadh Newspaper Number of News percentages Number of News percentages pro 22 52.4% 28 51.8% neutral 20 47.6% 26 48.2% total 42 100% 54 100% Table shows the topic trend (used tone) which used by "Alyaum Newspaper "and "Riyadh Newspaper" to cover the Bahraini events during the study period , and we found from the table that the most topics were pro Bahraini regime in both newspapers with differences in percentages which is in "Alyaum Newspaper" 52.4%which means that 22topic from all the 42 topics are pro Bahraini regime and the rest were neutral , and in "Riyadh Newspaper" 51.8%which means that 28 topic from all the 54 topics are Bahraini regime and the rest were neutral. All that mean that Saudi newspapers stand with Bahraini regime in this events and certainly it refers to the Saudi government opinion. The eighth question: What is the topic objective which the newspaper want to achieve from its Bahraini events covering during study period? Table (8) The topic objective The topic objective Alyaum Newspaper Riyadh Newspaper Number of News percentages Number of News percentages Supply the reader with information and knowledge 22 52.4% 38 70.4% Change the reader thoughts 12 28.6% 7 12.9% Change the reader behavior 8 19% 9 16.7% total 42 100% 54 100% Table shows the topic objective which used by "Alyaum Newspaper "and "Riyadh Newspaper" to cover the Bahraini events during the study period , and we found from the table that the most important objective in "Alyaum Newspaper" was Supply the reader with information and knowledge and this is the same result in "Riyadh Newspaper" with differences in percentages which is in "Alyaum Newspaper" 52.4%which means that 22topic from all the 42 topics are Supply the reader with information and knowledge, and in "Riyadh Newspaper" 70.4%which means that 38topic from all the 54 topics are Supply the reader with information and knowledge. The Second topic format in "Alyaum Newspaper " is differs from "Riyadh Newspaper" that The Second topic format in "Alyaum Newspaper is Change the reader thoughts by 28.6% which means that 12topic from all the 42 topics are change thoughts, but The Second topic format in "Riyadh Newspaper” is Change the reader behavior by 16.7% which means that 9topic from all the 54 topics are change behavior and it is the strongest objective than any other objectives. All that mean that Saudi newspapers focuses on the informative role to support the reader with as much information as possible about in the situation of Bahrain and to be the only information source to the reader. The ninth question: What is the topic source which the newspaper used in covering Bahraini events during study period? Table (9) The topic source The topic source Alyaum Newspaper Riyadh Newspaper Number of News percentages Number of News percentages Reporter 3 7.1% 5 9.3% Correspondent 9 21.4% 1 1.8% Arab News Agencies 18 42.8% 20 37% Foreign news agencies 2 4.8% 18 33.4% Arab writers 9 21.4% 9 16.7% No news source 1 2.5% 1 1.8% total 42 100% 54 100% Table shows the topic source which used by "Alyaum Newspaper "and "Riyadh Newspaper" to cover the Bahraini events during the study period , and we found from the table that the most important source  in "Alyaum Newspaper" was Arab News Agencies and this is the same result in "Riyadh Newspaper" with differences in percentages which is in "Alyaum Newspaper"42.8%which means that 18topic from all the 42 topics are from Arab News Agencies , and in "Riyadh Newspaper" 37%which means that 20topic from all the 54 topics are Arab News Agencies. The Second topic source in "Alyaum Newspaper " is differs from "Riyadh Newspaper", that The Second topic source in "Alyaum Newspaper are Correspondent and Arab writers they both are equal and their value is 21.4%which means that 9 topic from all the 42 topics are from these sources, but The Second topic source in "Riyadh Newspaper” is Foreign news agencies by 33.4%which means that 18topic from all the 54 topics are from Foreign news agencies. The third topic source in "Alyaum Newspaper " is differs from "Riyadh Newspaper", that The third topic source in "Alyaum Newspaper is Reporter by 7.1%which means that 3topic from all the 42 topics is from reporter, but The third topic source in "Riyadh Newspaper” is Arab writers by 16.7%which means that 9topic from all the 54 topics are from Arab writers. The fourth topic source in "Alyaum Newspaper” is foreign news agencies by 4.8%which means that 2 topic from all the 42 topics is from foreign news agencies, but the fourth topic source in "Riyadh Newspaper” is Reporter by 9.3%which means that 5topic from all the 54 topics are from Reporter. Finally the fifth topic source in "Alyaum Newspaper " is No news source by 2.5%which means that 1topic from all the 42 topics has no source, the same thing in “Riyadh Newspaper” by 1.8% which means that 1topic from all the 54 topics has no source and also Correspondent source consider a fifth topic source by1.8% which means that 1topic from all the 54 topics are from Correspondent. The tenth question: What is the topic which the newspaper used in covering Bahraini events during study period focuses on? Table (10) The topic focuses on The topic format Alyaum Newspaper Riyadh Newspaper Number of News percentages Number of News percentages Bahraini regime Statements about events in Bahrain 12 28.6% 14 25.9% Friendly relations between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain 2 4.8% 7 12.9% Saudi statements about events in Bahrain 9 21.4% 10 18.7% GCC support to the Bahraini Government 7 16.7% 7 12.9% Bahraini protesters Follow up 1 2.5% 5 9.3% Iranian intervention in the Bahraini events 2 4.8% 2 3.7% about Arab revolutions generally 5 11.6% 6 11.1% Bahraini government talks with other Arab states 2 4.8% - 0% other 2 4.8% 3 5.5% total 42 100% 54 100% Table shows the main point which the topic focus in it through "Alyaum Newspaper "and "Riyadh Newspaper" to cover the Bahraini events during the study period , and we found from the table that the most important point news focuses in it through "Alyaum Newspaper" was Bahraini regime Statements about events in Bahrain and this is the same result in "Riyadh Newspaper" with differences in percentages which is in "Alyaum Newspaper" 28.6%which means that 12topic from all the 42 topics are about Bahraini regime Statements about events in Bahrain , and in "Riyadh Newspaper" 25.9%which means that 14topic from all the 54 topics are also about Bahraini regime Statements about events in Bahrain. In "Alyaum Newspaper " the second main point is Saudi statements about events in Bahrain by  21.4% and the third is GCC support to the Bahraini Government 16.7% . In "Riyadh Newspaper" the second main point is also Saudi statements about events in Bahrain by 18.7% and the third is Friendly relations between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain and at the same rank is GCC support to the Bahraini Government by 12.9%. In "Alyaum Newspaper " the fourth main point is about Arab revolutions generally by  11.6%and the fifth are Friendly relations between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain 4.8%, Iranian intervention in the Bahraini events4.8%, Bahraini government talks with other Arab states4.8% and the last point is Bahraini protesters Follow up. In "Riyadh Newspaper" the fourth main point is about Arab revolutions generally by 11.1% and the fifth is Bahraini protesters Follow up 9.3%, and the last point is Iranian intervention in the Bahraini 3.7%. So we can say that Saudi newspapers mainly focuses on the Bahraini regime opinion then Saudi government opinion and after that we find that "Alyaum Newspaper " focuses on Iranian intervention in the Bahraini events and finally the Bahraini protesters Follow up, but "Riyadh Newspaper" focuses on the Bahraini protesters Follow up and finally the Iranian intervention in the Bahraini events. Question11: Is the Bahraini events topic mention to the Bahraini regime opinion during study period? Table (11) Bahraini regime opinion Bahraini regime opinion Alyaum Newspaper Riyadh Newspaper Number of News percentages Number of News percentages yes 15 35.7% 16 29.6% no 27 64.3% 38 70.4% total 42 100% 54 100% Table shows that the Bahraini events topic in "Alyaum Newspaper” mention to the Bahraini events topic only in 15 topic from all the 42 topics with35.7% and "Riyadh Newspaper" mention to the Bahraini events topic only in16 topic from all the 54 topics with 29.6%. Question 12: Is the Bahraini events topic mention to The Iranian official’s intervention during study period? Table (12) The Iranian official’s intervention The Iranian official’s intervention Alyaum Newspaper Riyadh Newspaper Number of News percentages Number of News percentages yes 3 7.1% 5 9.3% no 39 92.9% 49 90.7% total 42 100% 54 100% Table shows that the Bahraini events topic in "Alyaum Newspaper” mention to The Iranian official’s intervention topic only in 3 topic from all the 42 topics with7.1%and "Riyadh Newspaper" mention to The Iranian official’s intervention topic only in5 topic from all the 54 topics with 9.3%. Question 13: Is the Bahraini events topic mention to The Iranian official’s intervention during study period? Table (13) The Bahraini protesters opinion The Bahraini protesters opinion Alyaum Newspaper Riyadh Newspaper Number of News percentages Number of News percentages yes 6 14.3% 9 16.7% no 36 85.7% 45 83.3% total 42 100% 54 100% Table shows that the Bahraini events topic in "Alyaum Newspaper” mention to The Bahraini protesters opinion topic only in 6 topic from all the 42 topics with14.3%and "Riyadh Newspaper" mention to The Bahraini protesters opinion topic only in9 topic from all the 54 topics with 16.7% Question 14: Is the Bahraini events topic mention to The Saudi government opinion during study period? Table (14) The Saudi government opinion The Saudi government opinion Alyaum Newspaper Riyadh Newspaper Number of News percentages Number of News percentages yes 10 23.8% 8 14.8% no 32 76.2% 46 85.2% total 42 100% 54 100% Table shows that the Bahraini events topic in "Alyaum Newspaper” mention to The Saudi government opinion topic only in 10 topic from all the 42 topics with23.8%and "Riyadh Newspaper" mention to The Saudi government opinion topic only in8 topic from all the 54 topics with 14.8%. Question 15: What are the Personalities that the Bahraini events topics mention to them during study period? Table (15) Personalities Personalities Alyaum Newspaper Riyadh Newspaper Number of News percentages Number of News percentages Bahraini government figures 29 69% 42 77.8% Saudi government figures 13 30.9% 24 44.4% Iranian government figures - 0% - 0% Bahraini protesters figures 6 14.3% 12 22.3% This Table shows that  both of "Alyaum Newspaper "and "Riyadh Newspaper" mention to Bahraini government figures as the most one during the study period with differences in percentages which is in "Alyaum Newspaper" 69%which means that 29 topic from all the 42 topics, and in "Riyadh Newspaper" 77.8%which means that 42 topic from 54 topics. The Second rank is the same one in both newspapers which is Saudi government figures but again with differences in percentages which is in "Alyaum Newspaper" 30.9%which means that 13topics from all the 42 topics, and in "Riyadh Newspaper" 44.4%which means that 24topic from all the 54 topics. The third rank is also the same one in both newspapers which is Bahraini protesters figures but again with differences in percentages which is in "Alyaum Newspaper" 14.3%which means that 6topics from all the 42 topics, and in "Riyadh Newspaper" 22.3%which means that 12topic from all the 54 topics. And we find that there aren’t any Iranian government figures. All that mean that Saudi newspapers focuses on in order: Bahraini government figures, Saudi government figures, Bahraini protesters figures, and finally Iranian government figures. Question 16: What are the States and organizations that the Bahraini events topics mention to them during study period? Table (16) States and organizations States and organizations Alyaum Newspaper Riyadh Newspaper Number of News percentages Number of News percentages Saudi Arabia 13 30.9% 13 24% Iran 3 7.1% 5 9.3% Bahraini opposition parties 5 11.6% 4 7.4% This Table shows that  both of "Alyaum Newspaper "and "Riyadh Newspaper" mention to Saudi Arabia as the most one during the study period with differences in percentages which is in "Alyaum Newspaper" 30.9%which means that 13 topic from all the 42 topics, and in "Riyadh Newspaper" 24%which means that 13topic from 54 topics. The Second rank in "Alyaum Newspaper "is Bahraini opposition parties with 11.6% which means that 5topics from all the 42 topics, and the last one is Iran 7.1% which means that3 topics from all the 42 topics. The Second rank in "Riyadh Newspaper" is Iran with 9.3%which means that 5topics from all the 54 topics, and the last one is Bahraini opposition parties 7.4%which means that4 topics from all the 54 topics. Read More