University Students' Perception of Entrepreneurial Journalism in Saudi Arabia:

This study aimed to explore and analyze the perceptions of university students regarding entrepreneurial journalism in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through the lens of the "Thmanyah" model. The research encompassed the opinions of 276 students at King Khalid University in Abha, Aseer region, Saudi Arabia, employing a mixed-method approach for quantitative and qualitative data analysis. Results indicated that the majority of students held a positive view of "Thmanyah," attributing their admiration to its diversity, focus on meaningful topics, production quality, hosting influential personalities, and alignment with Saudi values. Criticisms were directed at the limited number of episodes, repetition of topics, and the presentation styles of some hosts. Furthermore, a significant portion of participants believed that "Thmanyah" positively transformed the Saudi journalistic landscape, significantly impacting the public's understanding of journalism. Our findings underscore the vital role of entrepreneurial journalism in enhancing the overall image of journalism in Saudi Arabia. The study also highlights the promising future of entrepreneurial journalism in the country, driven by technological advancements, increasing public awareness, and the absence of strict government restrictions. The study concludes with recommendations to support entrepreneurial journalism initiatives, provide training for future journalists, integrate entrepreneurial journalism concepts into university curricula, and encourage further research to assess the impact of entrepreneurial journalism in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.