May 25, 2017

Television Management graduate student, Hamad Al-Samrin, participated in an informative panel discussion focusing on how news is delivered and interpreted around the world. Al-Samrin, who is from Saudi Arabia, joined students from around the globe for the presentation titled, “What is Fake News? A Discussion of Media Around The World.” Drexel University’s Office of International Programs hosted the discussion as part of its quarterly Cross-Country Conversation series on May 17, 2017.

Dr. Asta Zelenkauskaite, Asssistant Professor in the Department of Culture and Communication, moderated the panel of domestic and international students as they discussed their diverse experiences and opinions in the delivery of news around the world. Dr. Asta Zelenkauskaite, who is from Lithuania, shared her experiences with the media during the USSR era, discussing how Lithuanians were less informed about the outside of the state, and thus isolated from the rest the world.

Lijun Huang, a student from China, explained how the government controls all messaging in his homeland. Domestic students, Walker Alexander and Gina Vitale, gave examples of so-called “fake news”, pointing out how inaccuracies and made up stories on websites operating as “news” sites have further polarized an already divided United States.

Al-Samrin gave an in-depth explanation of state media in the Arab world, pointing out how news is censored by authorities. He also talked about Al-Jazeera’s fresh approach at news in that region, as well as the impact of news consumption and citizen journalism on social media. Al-Samrin says the conversation was eye-opening. “Everyone, from the panelists to the audience members, were engaged in the conversation,” said Al-Samrin. He added, “I believe it is important for international and domestic students to communicate and learn from one another outside of the class. This was the perfect opportunity to learn how our individual cultures and opinions are shaped differently by the various ways news is reported in our separate regions.”