The Saudi public information-Seeking from clerics via social media during the Coronavirus pandemic

Document Type : Original Article

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Associate Professor, Department of Journalism, faculty of Media and Communication - Imam Muhammad bin Saud University

Abstract

The present study aimed to identify the impact of the competencies of clerics on the relationship between public seeking information from clerics and their health and awareness of the Coronavirus pandemic. The researcher applied a questionnaire that included the three facets of the study on a random stratified sample of (400) individuals from the Saudi public, and (300) individuals responded. Using the relational descriptive approach and modeling with structural equations, the results showed that there is a high level for the Saudi public to seek information from clerics through social networks during the Coronavirus pandemic, and a medium level of competencies that clerics possess to support their services when dealing with the Coronavirus pandemic from the viewpoint of the Saudi public. And that the level of public health and awareness of the Coronavirus pandemic among the Saudi public was high. The results also showed an indirect effect of the competencies of clerics on the relationship between public seeking information from clerics and their health and awareness of the Coronavirus pandemic, if mediated. In light of these results, the study recommended the importance of empowering clerics in the Kingdom knowledge and skills in issues related to health and the Coronavirus pandemic.
 

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