The Impact of the National Media on Social Capital with an Emphasis on Social Participation

The Impact of the National Media on Social Capital with an Emphasis on Social Participation   Tahmina Shams Mashhadi[1], Majid Kaffashi [2]   Abstract This study aimed to determine the impact of the national media on social capital with an emphasis on social participation. To this effect, 390 Iranian citizens within the age range of 20 to 30 living in Tehran were chosen as participants in this study in order to clarify the various dimensions of social participation and the effect of the type and time span of the programs broadcasted through Channel 5 TV on these dimensions of social participation.  The study population consisted of 1047 people of which 400 were selected through multi-stage cluster sampling. However, only 390 respondents had completed the questionnaires. This research employed a survey method to collect data using a standard questionnaire to measure the dependent variables. An expert reviewed questionnaire was constructed to measure the independent variables which consisted of 29 items with 5-point Likert-type scales. Data was analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient, Independent t-test and ANOVA as well as Multivariate regression analysis.  The results showed that the types of programs broadcasted and the amount of time the viewers spent on these programs had a significant effect on the four dimensions of social participation which were awareness, decision-making, participation and satisfaction. [1] Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Social Sciences, Roudehen Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. (Corresponding Author) Email: shams279@yahoo.com   [2]Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Social Sciences, Roudehen Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. Email: kaffashi@riau.ac.ir