The role of electronic media (Facebook) in directing public opinion in Iraq during political crises (Al-Sharqiya channel Facebook page as an example)

The electronic media is one of the modern means of communication through which millions of Internet users communicate, and they are not hindered by any factors such as age, gender, profession or nationality. Time, as its appearance created channels for direct broadcasting by the public, which led to the transfer of media to unprecedented horizons, and gave its users great opportunities to influence and move across borders without restrictions or censorship except in a relative and limited way. This type of media depends on public opinion being free in the movement of information and the exchange of ideas among citizens, as the Internet has provided great capabilities in the field of dissemination and exchange of information between individuals compared to traditional media.

These sites occupied a distinct and influential position in the Arab world and in various fields, and among the most prominent of these fields is their role in political life and came to form a virtual world that opens the way for individuals to express their opinions and discuss various issues with boldness and freedom without fear. Many researchers confirm that the use of the Internet in countries that are classified as non-democratic, helped break the siege on a number of political groups, which led some of these countries to believe that the Internet has become the enemy of political systems that violate the rights of individuals, because it has affected In the political life of societies, it helps in building individuals who possess high levels of political awareness and political participation.

Facebook is the most popular and popular social network around the world. Certain to a completely different position, and vice versa, and although public opinion is dynamic and changing, it is not ephemeral so that it is impossible as Facebook affects crises in our country, and changes the way people deal with them, it may transform people’s attitudes from supporting a political position to registering it. In light of this, the research problem arose, which can be identified in the following main question: What is the role of the electronic media (Facebook) in guiding public opinion in Iraq during political crises, of course with a special look at the Al Sharqiah page on Facebook, which is a clear example of the influence of Facebook Facebook is based on public opinion, as it depends on publishing everything new at the maximum speed, so it is considered the most followed page in Iraq. In this research, we have tried to ask several questions about the role of Facebook in Iraq, such as its ability to create public opinion during political crises, and most of the responses of the target sample were positive. Most of the followers also answered yes to a question about Facebook’s ability to pressure and influence decision-makers Hence, we find that Facebook is of great importance in Iraq. We also asked several questions about the role of Al Sharqiya channel in political crises and its ability to change political trends. Most of the followers’ answers were yes, but most of the followers believe that the channel is not neutral in its transmission and coverage of political events.