Arab's Contributions in Investigative Journalism: Participation and Willingness Evaluation

Dr. Ahmed Makharesh /Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania / U.S.A

Dr. Brent Hale / The University of Southern Mississippi - U.S.A

Dr. Laura Stengrim/ The University of Illinois/ U.S.A / stengrim@illinois.edu

Dr. Manasar Alharethi/ Taibah University / K.S.A

Dr. Amer Khaled Ahmad /Zarqa University / Jordan

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The Global Investigative Journalism Conference - 2025

Introduction

• Citizens contribute to producing news stories, photos, and videos that the traditional press would not have access to.

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• Although citizen investigative reporting has gained further traction globally, its acceptance in the Arab world still faces demanding challenges at all levels, particularly in the socio-political sectors.

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• The strict state control over media, restrictive press regulations and laws, and complex work environments have historically restricted the room for independent press to succeed.

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• Consequently, understanding the conceptual and dynamic dimensions of citizen investigative reporting in the Arab world is crucial.

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Purpose

This study aims to measure Arabs’

• Understanding of citizen investigative reporting
• Willingness to participate in the investigative reporting industry

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This study also provides insight into citizens' contributions to investigative reporting and their impact on work dynamics.

Literature Review

• Citizens’ Willingness to Engage in Investigative Reporting

• Importance of Citizens’ Involvement in Investigative Reporting

• Citizens’ Interest in Investigative Reporting

Research Questions

RQ1: How do Arab citizens (i.e., those not employed by a media organization) perceive citizen investigative reporting?

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RQ2: To what extent are Arab citizens (i.e., those not employed by a media organization) willing to participate in investigative reporting?

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Hypothesis

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H1: Arab citizens' understanding of investigative reporting will significantly predict their willingness to engage in the investigative reporting industry.

H2: Arab citizens' willingness to participate in investigative reporting will correlate with their belief that it will increase the quality of Arab journalism.

H3: Arab citizens' understanding of investigative reporting will significantly predict their beliefs that engaging in investigative reporting will result in higher-quality journalism than that generated by state-influenced media.

Method

• This study employs an online quantitative survey through Qualtrics.

• The survey included six blocks that covered the research questions and hypotheses.

• Respondents were asked two questions: a) whether a media organization had employed them or b) if they are currently working for a media organization.

• Akdemir's (2016) willingness scale was developed as a valid and reliable Likert-type scale, which was applied to all blocks.

Method �

• Only Arabs 18 or older were eligible to participate in this study.

• The sampling frame for this study included all Arabians currently staying in one of the Arab world regions.

• The participants were recruited by distributing the link through social media outlets (Twitter, WhatsApp, and Facebook), in addition to the cooperation of relatives and friends across Arab countries.

• The sample of this study contained Arabs from all over the Arab world, maximizing representativeness.

• A snowball sampling technique was used. The survey link was distributed from Oct 15, 2023, to Dec 15, 2023/ (N = 421).

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Method ��

• A pilot study was conducted to test the survey instrument's validity and reliability. 100 participants/ 25 from each region.

• A descriptive analyses were utilized to obtain the respondents' demographic information and their understanding, willingness, and beliefs on investigative reporting.

• Cronbach’s alpha of all scales was reliable, Cronbach’s alpha of .87.

• 119 participants were excluded from this study because of their employment in journalistic work.
• 302 respondents who completed the survey and were never employed by a media organization were retained for this study’s sample.

Method ��

• For the first research questions, an analysis of variance (ANOVA) was utilized.

• Regarding the second research question, an Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) test was conducted within the 14 observed items concerning the work environments where Arab citizens can engage in investigative reporting.

• Regarding hypothesis 1 & 3, a simple linear regression was used.

• Regarding Hypothesis 2, a Pearson Correlation test was employed.

Demographics

Not Employed /Total = 302

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• Gender

Male = 168 (55.6%)

Female = 125 (41.4%)

Unspecified = 9 (3.0%)

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• Age

18 - 25 years old = 151(50.0%)

26 - 33 years = 78 (25.8%)

34 - 41 years =  48 (15.9%)

49- 42years old = 16 (5.3%)

50 years and over = 9 (3.0%)

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• Region

The Arabian Peninsula = 196 (56.0%)

Fertile Crescent = 88 (29.1%)

The North Africa = 36 (11.9%)

The Eastern Africa = 9 (3.0%)

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• Education

Did not finish high school = 4 (1.3%)

High school degree = 75 (24.8%)

Bachelor's degree = 138 (45.7%)

Master’s degree = 55 (18.2%)

PhD, MD, or any other higher degrees = 30 (9.9%)

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Results

• To answer RQ1 (i.e., how do Arab citizens perceive citizen investigative reporting?)

1. A set of one-way ANOVAs was calculated to examine the relationship between demographic variables and Arabs' understanding of investigative reporting.

This finding suggests that Arabs’ ages significantly influenced their understanding of investigative reporting.

34-41 years old was significantly higher

(M = 3.98, SD = 0.67)

50 years and over

(M = 3.22, SD = 0.80).

Age**

Results

• To answer RQ2 (i.e., to what extent are Arab citizens (i.e., those not employed by a media organization) willing to participate in investigative reporting?), the results were addressed in two directions:

These findings suggest that respondents’ overall willingness to participate is high (M = 3.51),

One-way ANOVAs employed for demographic variables and Arabs' willingness to engage in investigative reporting.

No significant results were found.

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1. The first direction measured the demographic variables (age, gender, education, and region) and the participant's willingness to participate in investigative reporting.

2. The second direction utilized Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) within the set of the 14 observed items

Through the analysis, three factors emerged.

Risk Avoidance

Check to Power

Hard Core

• The second factor was labeled "Check to Power," which included four items. It captured items associated with the democratic role of the press in society.

• The first factor was labeled "Risk Avoidance," which included seven items. It represented items related to ease or convenience of participation.

• Then third factor was labeled "Hard Core," which included three items. It depicted steadfast commitment or dedication to investigative reporting.

To test hypothesis 1 (i.e., Arab citizens' (i.e., those not employed by a media organization) understanding of investigative reporting will significantly predict their willingness to engage in the investigative reporting industry),

• A simple linear regression was employed to assess the relationship.

• The results revealed a significant relationship.

F(1, 300) = 240.00, p < .001.

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The regression model accounted for a substantial proportion of the variance, R² = 0.44.

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β = 0.67, t(15.49), p < .001

• Hypothesis 4 is supported.

To test hypothesis 2 (i.e., Arab citizens' (i.e., those not employed by a media organization) willingness to participate in investigative reporting will correlate with their belief that it will increase the quality of Arab journalism),

• A Pearson correlation was calculated.

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• A strong and significant correlation was found (r(300) = .690, p < .001).

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Therefore, the two variables were strongly correlated. H2 is supported.

To test hypothesis 3 (i.e., Arab citizens' (i.e., those not employed by a media organization) understanding of investigative reporting significantly predicts their beliefs that engaging in investigative reporting will result in higher-quality journalism than that generated by state-influenced media),�

• A simple linear regression was employed to assess the relationship.

• The results reported a significant relationship between these two variables,

F(1, 300) = 266.60, p < .001.

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The regression model accounted for a substantial proportion of the variance, R² = 0.471.

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β = 0.67, t(16.32), p < .01.

• Therefore, hypothesis 3 is supported.

Discussion

• These findings indicate the perceived importance of media literacy, transparency, and accountability among Arab citizens.

• Further, this study underscores respondents’ beliefs about the essential role of investigative reporting in promoting the quality of the Arab press and enhancing democratic ideals.

• Fostering an environment that supports investigative reporting and encourages citizen engagement will advance journalism standards and promote societal progress in the Arab world.

Conclusion

• This study delivers valuable insights into the role of investigative journalism and Arab citizens' contributions to media practices.

• Through factor analysis, regression analysis, and correlation testing, the researchers uncovered significant relationships between measurements concerning Arab citizens' understanding of investigative reporting and willingness to engage in this practice.

Thank You