Abstract

The study explores Emirati university students’ perceptions of how media and information literacy enhance their understanding of media ethics. It specifically investigates students’ perceptions of the role of media and information literacy in shaping their understanding of professional media standards, enhancing their respect for individuals’ privacy, promoting their social responsibility, regulating their ethical digital interactions, and the challenges they face in distinguishing reliable from misleading media content. The study administered a survey to a quota sample of 300 students from Al Ain University. The results indicated that students perceive media and information literacy as playing a significant role in shaping their understanding of professional media standards, enhancing their respect for individuals’ privacy, and promoting their social responsibility. The results also showed that students perceive considerable challenges in distinguishing reliable from misleading media content. Furthermore, no statistically significant differences emerged in students’ perceptions of the role of media and information literacy in enhancing their understanding of media ethics by gender. However, statistically significant differences appeared by academic year and the college in which students study, favoring the College of Communication and Media. Finally, there is a strong positive correlation between students’ perceptions of the role of media and information literacy in shaping their understanding of professional media standards and both their perceptions of respect for individuals’ privacy and the regulation of their ethical digital interaction with others.

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