Media Treatment of the Phenomenon of Drugs in the Iraqi Electronic Press - Al-Mada Newspaper Website as a Model

Abstract

The study aimed to explore the frameworks for addressing the phenomenon of drug abuse in Iraqi electronic journalism. The research population consisted of the Al-Mada Iraqi newspaper website, and the topics on this site were selected using a comprehensive enumeration method for a period of six months, from January 1, 2024, to June 30, 2024. The total number of topics related to the phenomenon of drugs during this period amounted to 71. The researcher chose Al-Mada newspaper as the study population because it is an independent daily Iraqi newspaper that continues to be published. Accordingly, the researcher designed a content analysis form, and the study results revealed that the most prominent topic addressed by the Al-Mada electronic newspaper is the arrest of drug dealers. It also showed that the majority of those involved in drug-related crimes are Iraqi nationals and that the primary factor contributing to the spread of drugs in Iraq is the lack of adequate deterrence or formal punishment. The journalistic coverage emphasized opening rehabilitation centers and clinics as the best solution to reduce the dangers of this phenomenon. The study also recommends the establishment of specialized psychological health clinics for treating addicts, equipping them with psychological specialists, and encouraging patients and users to seek treatment.