SACM - United Kingdom
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://drepo.sdl.edu.sa/handle/20.500.14154/9667
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Item Restricted comparative study of the framing of COVID-19 by the BBC and Al Arabiya(University of Leicester, 2024) Shbber, Saud; Qian, GongThe COVID-19 pandemic required public service media (PSM) outlets to respond swiftly and adapt their communication strategies. This thesis examines how two major PSM organisations—BBC in the UK and Al Arabiya in Saudi Arabia—framed the COVID-19 crisis, focusing on eight key news frames identified in the study: human-interest, vaccination safety/hesitancy, war, commitment and transparency, uncertainty, economic consequences, government handling; criticism vs. firm state control, and authority-centric frames. This thesis uses corpus linguistic analysis (CLA) to assist the framing analysis process, building two corpora from tweets and the attached full news articles on X (formerly Twitter) from both outlets. This method allows for a detailed comparison of how COVID-19 was communicated in the different political, social, and media contexts of the UK and Saudi Arabia. The findings show that BBC’s coverage often highlighted public engagement, transparency, criticism and economic impact, while Al Arabiya focused more on government authority and firm state control. The thesis also tracks how these frames changed over time, noting both similarities and differences between the two outlets. Early coverage in both media focused on uncertainty and health risks but later shifted to issues such as vaccination, economic recovery, and government handling. However, the degree to which each outlet emphasised these frames varied, reflecting the differences in media landscapes and political environments. This change shows how PSM adapted their messages as COVID-19 progressed. This thesis offers new academic contributions by providing fresh insights into the role of PSM in risk communication and how PSM frames health crises and demonstrates the value of integrating CLA with framing analysis. It provides valuable lessons for policymakers on how to effectively manage public health messaging during future global emergencies.4 0Item Restricted Assessing Disaster Preparedness Among SRCA Emergency Medical Services Personnel in Saudi Arabia(University of Portsmouth, 2024-11-14) Aldhilan, Ahmed; Solana, CarmenPrehospital Emergency Medical Services (EMS) play a critical role in disaster response, particularly in regions prone to various hazards, such as Saudi Arabia. This study evaluates the readiness and effectiveness of the Saudi Red Crescent Authority (SRCA) workforce in disaster response, focusing on regional variations, skill competencies response strategies, and identifying potential areas for improvement. The research utilised a mixed-methods approach, including a quantitative questionnaire completed by 259 SRCA personnel and qualitative interviews with key management figures. The findings reveal significant strengths in basic emergency response skills such as First Aid and CPR, especially among more experienced personnel. However, notable gaps were identified in inter-agency coordination and awareness of certain disaster risks, such as earthquakes and terror attacks. Additionally, regional disparities in disaster preparedness were observed, with some areas, like Jazan and Asir, demonstrating higher confidence levels, while others, such as Tabuk and Makkah, indicated lower preparedness. These findings underscore the need for targeted training, enhanced inter-agency collaboration, and region-specific disaster management strategies. The study concludes that while experience significantly enhances individual preparedness, comprehensive disaster management requires a broader focus on collaborative efforts and tailored interventions across all regions. Further research is recommended to expand these findings and support the ongoing improvement of disaster preparedness within the SRCA and similar organizations.24 0