Public relations’ influence on websites news flow and quality journalism: an applied study on six UAE local newspaper websites

Abstract EN

This study aims to investigate how public relations agencies and departments can influence the news flow, journalism, and content quality on six newspaper websites in the United Arab Emirates.

the variables of “the influence of PR on news websites, news content, and quality journalism” were chosen in view of their importance in terms of publishing on digital platforms at present and the fact that they are gradually becoming a major form of publishing in local and global societies.

they were also chosen to discuss how PR departments and private agencies influence journalism and news articles to produce balanced, comprehensive, and accurate news content.

two methodologies were used for collecting data and reaching results: the quantitative methodology with a purposeful coding sheet designed to analyze 587 items published on six UAE newspaper websites, in addition to the qualitative methodology with a set of 9 intensive interviews conducted with specialists and senior journalists and managers in the fields of publishing, journalism, and PR in the country.

the data was analyzed based on descriptive analysis using SPSS software.

the findings of this study showed that PR news accounts for almost 50% of the news published on UAE news websites.

the results also revealed that there is a relationship between PR news and the quality of news content and journalism.

the study uses the framing theory to investigate how PR practitioners and agencies influence the news flow on newspaper websites and the quality of content and journalism.