Abstract

Current limitations in Egypt hinder citizens from obtaining an acceptable understanding of the effects of current affairs on their daily lives; these limitations include a rigid state control on news media, an absence of journalistic ethical standards that result in wide spreading of rumors, polarity and political bias, and a lack of adequate media awareness. Citizens need to be equipped to overcome these obstacles in media systems by developing a good understanding of the media landscape, challenge defective media practices, and acquire needed skills to filter information for reliability and accuracy. Citizens should learn the value of the media around them and the worth of freedom of expression and freedom of information. This thesis focuses on current challenges teachers in Egyptian private and public schools may face in implementing media literacy programs. An Egypt-based model of media education in schools is drafted with recommendations based on descriptive analysis of such programs in different countries, and derived from in-depth interviews with experts and surveys with teachers. The purpose of this thesis is to establish a well-rounded media literacy educational model that can serve as a basis for application in private and public schools across grades K-12. The problem being addressed is the lack of comprehensive education that teaches youngsters in Egyptian schools how to critically and purposively consume, and create media. Theoretical framework is based on Uses and Gratification as well as Media Ecology theories.

Department

Journalism & Mass Communication Department

Degree Name

MA in Journalism & Mass Communication

Graduation Date

6-1-2017

Submission Date

May 2017

First Advisor

Amin, Hussein

Committee Member 1

Tarek, Shawki

Committee Member 2

Allam, Rasha

Extent

157 p.

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Rights

The author retains all rights with regard to copyright. The author certifies that written permission from the owner(s) of third-party copyrighted matter included in the thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study has been obtained. The author further certifies that IRB approval has been obtained for this thesis, or that IRB approval is not necessary for this thesis. Insofar as this thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study is an educational record as defined in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 USC 1232g), the author has granted consent to disclosure of it to anyone who requests a copy.

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval

Approval has been obtained for this item

Comments

This thesis could not have been completed without the continuous support and guidance of my thesis advisor, Dr. Hussein Amin. You have truly been a mentor to me on so many levels. You have never withheld any opportunity to provide me with the advice and meticulous supervision that I needed to complete this work, to grow professionally and personally, and to realize how I can reach my potential. Your support has made me do work I am proud to call mine. I would like to acknowledge HE Dr. Tarek Shawki, Minister of Education, as distinguished external reader of this thesis. I am gratefully indebted to him for his very valuable comments and excellent insights on this thesis. I would also like acknowledge Dr. Rasha Allam, Assistant Professor, Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, the American University in Cairo, as a reader of this thesis. I am very thankful for her for all the help and assistance she gave me during the development of this thesis. I would like to thank my dear husband for standing by me through this journey. He has had my back, pushing me only forward and providing me with all the means I needed to focus on my work and to excel. Without him, this goal of mine would have never been realized. Finally, I would like to thank my parents, who are my backbone and support system, ever since I was a young girl with a passion for media and communication. I am who I am thanks to you and for that I am forever grateful.

Share

COinS