Survey Highlights Shift in Gaza Coverage Practices

TDT | Manama

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A survey of Arab journalists has revealed a significant shift in attitudes toward the use of drones in conflict coverage, with Al Arabiya’s reporting from Gaza emerging as a benchmark for quality and audience engagement.

The study, conducted by researcher Haya Abdulrahman Barzan and published in Arab Media & Society magazine, drew on responses from a deliberate sample of 390 Arab journalists. It was framed within the Diffusion of Innovations theory, which examines how new technologies are adopted across professional fields.

Tech embraced

Most respondents viewed drone technology as both useful and effective for covering the Gaza war, saying it enhanced the quality of news reporting and increased public interaction with the stories.

The research also found that a majority of participants placed high value on Al Arabiya’s drone coverage, seeing it as a model for others in the Arab media landscape.

Professional shift

The findings suggest drones are no longer viewed as a novelty in war reporting, but as an established tool with clear benefits for accuracy, storytelling, and audience reach.

The study reflects a broader readiness among Arab journalists to integrate emerging technologies into their work, particularly in high-stakes environments such as conflict zones.