An investigation into the role and importance of social network sites in effective news coverage

By

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to take this chance for thanking my research facilitator, friends & family for support they provided & their belief in me as well as guidance they provided without which I would have never been able to do this research.

DECLARATION

I, (Your name), would like to declare that all contents included in this thesis/dissertation stand for my individual work without any aid, & this thesis/dissertation has not been submitted for any examination at academic as well as professional level previously. It is also representing my very own views & not essentially which are associated with university.

Signed __________________ Date _________________

ABSTRACT

The research is focused over the social networking sites and their affect over the news coverage. It will provide an analysis regarding the use of social networking sites and how some popular sites like Facebook, Twitter, MySpace provide news updates. How people in UAE find stories and news on these sites trustworthy. The importance of social networks may be more evident when considering the beneficial effects they have on the participants the general welfare. In fact, several studies have concluded that social relationships within social networks positively influence news coverage. Cohen, Gottlieb, and Underwood suggested that these beneficial effects occur as a result of two possible processes. The first process involves the participation in the exchange of social resources (e.g. emotional sources, informative or operational support) in situations where participants are in need of support, such as life experiences associated with stress acute or chronic (e.g., illness, developmental transitions, addiction). The second possible process is the involvement in social interactions that are not open for the exchange of support, but nevertheless valid participant's identities and experiences, and has a positive influence on participant's self-concept, esteem and the sense of personal control. In other words, participation in one or more relationships in social networks, whether in times of stress or otherwise, can affect cognitions, emotions, behaviours and biological responses in ways that improve welfare.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTII

DECLARATIONIII

ABSTRACTIV

CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION1

Introduction1

Need for the Study1

Objective of the Study2

Hypothesis2

CHAPTER 2: ORGANIZATION PROFILE3

CHAPTER 3: THEORETICAL BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY / REVIEW OF LITERATURE11

The affects of participation11

Benefits of participating12

News media and social networking sites15

Social networking news16

CHAPTER 4: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY20

Hypothesis20

Research Design21

Data Sources21

Sampling Design and data collection22

Statistical tools Used22

Limitations of the Study22

CHAPTER 5: ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION24

General questions24

Table: A124

Table: A224

Table: A325

You and social network sites25

Table: B125

Table: B225

Table: B327

Table: B427

Table: B528

Table: B628

Table: B729

Table: B829

Table: B930

Table: B1030

Table: B1131

You and news information31

Table: C131

Table: C232

Table: C332

Table: C433

Table: C533

Table: C634

Table: C734

Table: C835

Table: C935

Table: C1036

Chi-Square Test36

CHAPTER 6: FINDINGS38

CHAPTER7: RECOMMENDATIONS40

CHAPTER 8: CONCLUSION41

REFERENCES42

CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION

Introduction

Social networks act as a liaison for the provision of news information that can educate and mobilize citizens. However, if the distinct types of newspapers covering the modes of participation distinctly, then it is likely that those who use a pattern of newspapers can be mobilized to take part in a distinct way than those spending other social network (Achat 1998 750).

Few current researches suggest that the type of social network ...