Research 

The role of local radio in NGO activities in conflict-affected areas

2016-2018

Funded by The British Academy

Abstract

Research conducted in summer 2015 in the West Bank into the role of local media and their broadcasting of NGO-related material concluded that, of all the media investigated, local radio was widely “used” by the local community and considered by NGOs to be the most useful in encouraging awareness of, and participation in, community projects. This challenges widespread assumptions about the role of traditional media in the face of social media. This pilot study will show for the first time whether this is the case by providing empirical evidence of the usefulness of local radio in community project. Radio output from six stations will be analysed over 7-8 consecutive months in 2016 in four West Bank towns. The project will first generate data and analyse the content of radio schedules (prioritised subjects, content of NGO-related information); it will then identify case studies retrospectively from the recording period; and finally (NGO) organisers of, local participants in, the case study projects will be interviewed as a follow-up to confirm or contradict the findings.

Local Media and the Community in the West Bank

2015

Funded by Seed Corn Research Funding, Coventry University

Abstract

This project examined the state of the local and regional media in the West Bank and the extent to which it is used as a platform for democratic discourse to the benefit of the local community. The West Bank media operates in a complex environment and faces raids, closures and extensive restrictions as a result of political divisions within the occupied Palestinian territories, commercial pressures from financial backers, and Israeli security policies and military activities which continue to hinder press freedom. The media’s shortcomings are many and include a restrictive yet vague legal framework, no internal regulator, violations against journalists, and top-down political pressure potentially resulting in a submissive media.

A series of interviews were conducted in 2015 with representatives of the local and regional media, on one hand, and small and medium-sized NGOs, on the other. The aim was to determine the latter’s levels of confidence in the media to act as an amplifier for their programmes (and the communities they were endeavouring to assist) and to support their actions against those in power.

The project reveals a prevailing sentiment amongst the interviewed NGO representatives that media coverage of specific sectors and minority groups, hitherto considered inadequate, is increasing albeit slowly. The study concluded that the regional and local media in the West Bank is striving to meet the challenges of the traditional fourth estate and is regarded by NGOs as an essential tool to effect change within society.

Audience surveys: French, Russian, and UK Television Foreign Conflict Reporting

2015

Funded by Pump Prime Research Funding, Coventry University

Abstract

This project used the Gaza war 2014 as a new case study and updated analyses of media coverage of the Middle East conflict from 2006-2008 by French, Russian and UK public television news providers, and complemented this by examining how audiences in the reporting countries understand the news and whether this has been shaped by the media reporting. This helped establish the enduring influence of traditional television news coverage when reporting the controversial and sensitive subject of foreign conflict, against a background of heightened social media use.

This interdisciplinary project formed original timely research with impact on the research community and economic and societal impact. It makes a valuable contribution to the fields of conflict resolution, international relations, media, French, Russian and Middle East studies. It sheds a contemporary light on geo-political developments and reinforces the research profile of the University creating and strengthening international links.

Audience Perceptions of Television reporting of the War in Gaza 2014 (West Bank Audiences)

2015

Focus groups were conducted in the West Bank in summer 2015 and complimented interviews carried out in France, Russia and the UK, also in 2015.

Funded by Pump Prime Research Funding, Coventry University

You can learn more about my research funding here.