Abstract
The research aims to investigate the interactivity of four Saudi Online Journals. Two of these online journals were the Riyadh and Okaz Online Journals, which are also found in the printed versions. However, the other two journals used in this research paper are the Alweeam and Sabq Journals, which do not have print versions, and are only published online. The data were collected based on an analysis of the existing content and research on the interactivity in the Online Journalism in Saudi Arabia. The study uses a questionnaire, in order to investigate the content of journals and the responses of the readers. The findings of the study demonstrated varying levels of interactivity among study journals. The study also revealed that the online-only journals stimulated more interactivity than online journals with a print version. Two predictors for interactivity were identified with respect to the Riyadh and Okaz Journals: the source of information and the type of journal content (news or commentary). The study revealed a great interactivity for the journals that are online-only. However, the printed journals, which can also be viewed online showed a comparatively lesser interactivity. During the study, the researcher observed two predictors for interactivity in both types of journals. These predictors were the source of information and the type of journal content. Key words: Interactivity, Saudi Online Journals, Okaz Journal, Riyadh Journal, Alweeam Online Journal, Sabq Online Journal. 
Highlights
Interactivity is a recent concept, which requires further clarification through research and studies
41% of journal items in the Riyadh Journal did not induce any interactivity, whereas low interactivity was generated by approximately 38% of journal items in the same journal, and high interactivity generation was induced by approximately 22%
27% of the items generated low interactivity, and approximately 8% of items induced high interactivity. Note that both Alweeam and Sabq showed a rare and different trend that exhibited no interactivity from journal items
Summary
Interactivity is a recent concept, which requires further clarification through research and studies. It has been viewed by certain studies as a very general concept accompanied with various implications for mediated communication of all types; the most common type is journalism, Heeter 1989; Loosen and Weischenberg. Other studies have conducted in depth research and analysis on interactivity, and identified four related dimensions: the complexity of choices that are available, the responsiveness to the end user, the facilitation of interpersonal communication and the ease of adding information (Massey and Levy 1999; Rafaeli 1988). The researcher agrees in part with McMillan (2000), who reports his view that interactivity may lie in the user’s perspective and that interactivity is not a purely functional dimension.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
