Professional Standards in Citizen Journalism Content on Social Media: An Analytical Study

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the persuasive techniques used in citizen journalism content published on social media platforms and to monitor professional violations. The study generated a set of questions addressing the nature of the published material, the types of topics covered, and the adherence to professional standards. The study employed a descriptive methodology and utilized content analysis. The study population consisted of three pages, considered among the most followed on Facebook. The study's findings revealed a significant number of professional violations, including the prevalence of misleading news, high rates of incitement to violence, the adoption of hate speech, and the dissemination of unsourced news. Furthermore, the study found that the professional standards employed were weak. The study recommended raising public awareness to ensure compliance with professional standards in content published on social media platforms and developing effective legal oversight mechanisms to ensure content monitoring and review before publication, thereby mitigating professional violations.