There have been divergent views over the pros and cons of the digitalization of the Kuwaiti media sector over the recent years, involving the quality of digital media platforms and their news credibility, let alone the role of social media.
The Kuwaiti media sector has introduced digital technology in an inescapable step that aims at revamping production and publication, and providing media content in a speedier and more effective mode.
Media digital transformation offers access to more audiences and the content industry in a way that meets the currently growing use of internet and social media platforms, including smart phone applications.
However, this digital transformation triggers off more reliance upon smart phones as a way of delivering content to people, while incredible available information could negatively affect public opinion and put the privacy of individuals and institutions in jeopardy.
In this context, Dr. Ahmad Al-Kandari, a professor of media and public relations at Kuwait University, said digital transformation has enabled everyone to gain easy access to media platforms in order to communicate with fans.
Speaking to KUNA, he listed the advantages of media digitalization as primarily helping governmental institutions to have their own media platforms to directly communicate with people and steer public opinion.
But, the Kuwaiti professor admitted that with this swiftly developing media revolution, it has become very uneasy for people in general and media specialists and academics in particular to keep abreast of this transformation.
“It has become inevitable to read and always follow up on new research (in media digitalization) with a view to developing learning in the media space,” he underlined.
Concerning the role of social media in society, the Kuwaiti academic stressed that social media platforms, including ones with specific agendas and purposes, are now playing a big role in influencing people and that’s why rules and controls should be set for the virtual space.
For his part, Al-Jareeda Deputy Managing Editor Naser Al-Otaibi said media digitalization would lead to the “birth of new Kuwaiti media” including both public and private sectors, and would combine between both old and new mass media.
Digital media platforms play an amazing supportive role for paper media and reflect media institutions’ orientations, he said, believing that social media has an undeniable role to play in reporting and influencing audiences and even decision-makers.
But, he casted doubts about the credibility of new stories and content covered by social media in general, sounding the alarm that this point, in particular, could negatively affect public opinion in any society.
Kuwait News Network Chief Abdullah Boftein opined that both digital and conventional media entities are playing a complementary role in digital media transformation.
The private sector’s media role is based on considering and analyzing changes, fathoming out daily media developments and coping with content industry as well as addressing challenges facing paper press and traditional media in Kuwait and across the world, he added.
As for media material quality, he said media material has not been restricted to platforms and newspapers anymore since content makers, including individuals and institutions, have become real rivals to traditional institutions.
But, he warned that some media contents have nothing to do whatsoever with professional journalism and are only meant to attract viewers and incredible scoops.
Low-quality media content like scandals and media bullying of some categories of the society, including features, accents and opinions, may gain great reactions, but, unfortunately, they run counter with genuine and serious media and its societal message.
Source: Kuwait News Agency