"The Impact of Media on the Behaviors and Opinions of Iraqi Youth on Societal Issues - An Analytical Study of the Tikrit City Audience."

Abstract

The present research aims to analyze the role of the media and its impact on youth, focusing on the role of media methods in shaping public opinion among Iraqi youth and the extent to which they contribute to building societal awareness among this group. The research relied on a descriptive analytical approach. The research population consisted of Iraqi youth aged 18 to 35 years. A random sample was selected from the research population. The research concluded several findings, including that respondents primarily accessed the media to obtain information about celebrity news, followed by political and world news. Approximately half of the sample simply used the media to spend their free time, while the cultural sphere received little attention. A large percentage of respondents believed that the media did not provide successful models that should be emulated. They explained that the media presents content those conflicts with societal values, citing it as incompatible with religious values ​​and encouraging youth to pursue a life of art and fame for quick gain and wealth. The decline in the role of the family, school, and religious institutions in fulfilling their assigned roles is also the most significant reason for the media's influence on the values ​​and behavior of youth. In light of these findings, the researcher presented a number of recommendations, including establishing mechanisms to promote moral values ​​in society. Supporting family, school, religious, and media awareness of the social risks resulting from the deterioration of youth values ​​and behaviors, while improving their image in various media outlets, is also essential. Furthermore, it is necessary to focus on scientific, cultural, and literary fields in an engaging manner, as this will motivate young people to adopt pioneers in these fields as role models.