Assessing Public Engagement with Emerging Media in Qatar

Conference: The European Conference on Media, Communication & Film (EuroMedia2022)
Title: Assessing Public Engagement with Emerging Media in Qatar
Stream: International Communication
Presentation Type: Virtual Poster Presentation
Authors:
John V. Pavlik, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, United States
Venus Jin, Northwestern University in Qatar, Qatar
Noora Ahmed Gh A Lari, Qatar University, Qatar
Shravan Regret Iyer, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, United States

Abstract:

Public engagement is a critical element in the development of emerging media (EM), including augmented reality, virtual reality, and podcasting. Engagement reflects both usage as well as user production and sharing of EM content. The Gulf nation of Qatar has advanced through public policy and other means the role of EM among its population, including both nationals and expatriates. In this study we examine findings from an emerging media engagement survey designed to examine public engagement with EM in Qatar. The survey was implemented through the Social and Economic Survey Research Institute (SESRI) at Qatar University. The national survey conducted between December 2021 and January 2022 involves data collected through telephone interviews with a random sampling among adults 18+ living in Qatar, obtaining a sample size of 676. Research questions are how does interest in and usage of emerging media vary between Qataris and expat professionals and does interest in and usage of emerging media increase during the COVID-19 pandemic (Ball, Huang & Francis, 2021). The data provide mixed results. Awareness of AR and VR is greater among expat professionals than among Qataris, though there is no difference in the percentages of those groups who have experienced AR or VR or shared AR or VR experiences via social media. Qataris are especially frequent podcast listeners. Qataris are substantially more likely to use AR filters on social media posts. A significantly greater portion of both groups report increased interest in and usage of emerging media since the onset of the pandemic.




Virtual Poster Presentation


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