Facebook and its uses and gratifications: a study of Palestinian students at a Public University in Malaysia

• Main Authors: Alakklouk, Bader, Mokhtar, Aida
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Faculty of Communication and Media Studies (FCMS), Universiti Teknologi MARA 2017
• Subjects: P87 Communication. Mass media
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/72851/1/bader%20and%20mokhtar%20%282017%29.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/72851/; https://forumkomunikasi.uitm.edu.my/images/FK2017No12/FK2017-chapter-5.pdf

This study explores the uses and gratifications theory on the use of Facebook among Palestinian students at a public university in Malaysia. The theory posits that individuals actively choose media channels or media content to satisfy their needs. In-depth interviews were conducted among 12 heavy users of facebook. These participants comprise Palestinian students of a public university in Malaysia. As it is, Facebook is a convenient platform to express ideas and opinions on the Palestine crisis making it popular amongst Palestinian users particularly with the Palestine-Israel conflict that is taking place now in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and Jerusalem. The findings of the study identify the needs gratified by Facebook: connecting, source of news and information, freedom of expression, entertainment and academic purposes. The reasons why Facebook gratifies the public university’s Palestinian students’ needs is because Facebook is perceived as a convenient platform, is a famous social networking site (SNS), provides entertainment and allows the freedom of expression. The participants pointed out three improvements that are required from Facebook: improving the privacy of users, cutting advertisements and allowing more freedom of expression.