الصحافة الاقتصادية الإمارتية : بين الضغوط المهنية و التنظيمية و تحديات التنمية المستدامة

Abstract EN

This research looks into press coverage of the economy in the United Arab Emirates as viewed by economic editors from Al-Bayan, Al-Itihad and Emirates Alyoum Daily newspapers.

The researcher used a questionnaire consisting of twenty questions, asking the economic editors from these newspapers to express their opinions on the following: Economic press coverage in the UAE; advertising; access to source information, the job environment, job satisfaction,, etc.

The questionnaire also dealt with covering the economy in general, potential difficulties; qualifications required by economic editors; and the economic editor's use of the information technology.

Editors participating in the study included: nine from Al-Bayan, eleven from Al-Itihad, and ten from Emirates Alyoum.

Findings of the study show that two thirds of the respondents view economic press coverage in the Emirates as good to very good.

The remaining third view it as weak.

Half of the respondents said they are satisfied with the level of economic press coverage in the UAE, while the other half said that they are not.

Results of the questionnaire indicate that the strength of economic press coverage in the UAE lies in its specialized economic supplements and the diversity and exhaustiveness of its coverage.

Among its weaknesses, respondents cited excessive reliance upon press releases and company reports, lack of investigative reporting, difficulty in getting information directly from the source, and lack of qualified journalists.

According to economic editors in this study, the problems encountered by the Emirati press may be summed up as follows: lack of opportunities to discuss economic issues freely, continual praise for economic decisions, and the sheer abundance of company reports, advertisements, and promotional and consumer news.