"This study examines to what extent Arab audiences are willing to support these strategies, and what factors influence their willingness to pay (WTP) for online news, using a survey of 530 adults. The study found most of the public is not willing to pay for online newspapers, but are willing to pay ... for entertainment services. Most of them are not subscribing to printed or online newspapers. They do not have a real intent to help the newspapers in their digital transformation. Most of the public did not experience the paywall yet. Age and income influence the likelihood of paying for online news and to a lesser extent, gender and education. Age and income were predictors for WTP for entertainment services. Age and education were predictors for using online sources." (Abstract) more

"With regards to professional role orientations, journalists in the UAE found it most important to educate the audience, to influence public opinion, to promote tolerance and cultural diversity, to tell stories about the world, and to support government policy. Still, more than two out of five respo ... ndents found it important to convey a positive image of political leadership, to provide the kind of news that attracts the largest audience, to report things as they are, to support national development, to provide analysis of current affairs, to be an adversary of the government, to provide information people need to make political decisions, to let people express their views, and to provide advice, orientation and direction for daily life. Other roles were supported by only a minority of respondents. Following traits belong to these roles: monitoring and scrutinizing political leaders, setting the political agenda, monitoring and scrutinizing business, motivating people to participate in political activity, being a detached observer, advocating for social change, as well as providing entertainment and relaxation." (Journalistic roles, pages 1-2) more