Digital Media and Traditional Media: A Comparative study of News Credibility and Its Impact on the Iraqi Audiance in Baghdad Governorate

Abstract

This study focuses on the rapid changes in the contemporary media landscape, represented by technological development and the competitive relationship between digital media and traditional media. The study’s problem is reflected in the widening gap between the increasing rates of digital media consumption and the standards of credibility amid the multiplicity of news sources.

This study aimed to examine the nature of competition and the relationship between digital media and traditional media in terms of news credibility and their impact on the Iraqi audience in Baghdad Governorate. The study adopted the descriptive survey method and was conducted on a purposive sample of 200 respondents, employing Media Dependency Theory as its theoretical framework.

The findings revealed an overwhelming dominance of digital media as the primary source of news, accounting for 71%, compared to 29% for traditional media. Results also indicated that 87% of the audience receives news through digital platforms several times a day, reflecting a clear shift toward digital media consumption. Despite the intensive use of digital media, the study confirmed the existence of a credibility and trust crisis, as the Iraqi audience continues to place greater trust in traditional media when news contradictions occur, with a relative weight of 74.6%. This trust is attributed to institutional professionalism and verified documentation as key standards of credibility.

Furthermore, the study demonstrated a high level of audience awareness, as seeking official sources to verify news ranked first among audience behaviors, with a relative weight of 84.8%. The findings also highlighted key attraction factors, showing that identifying the original news source and the inclusion of images and videos are among the most significant elements enhancing trust in digital content.