Determinants of journalists’ acceptance of using virtual reality (VR) in news production in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA)

This study identifies and predicts the factors that determine journalists’ acceptance of VR in journalism and news production, and their intention to adopt this technology in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). A total of 787 online survey responses were analyzed. On a theoretical level, Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) constructs were used to identify the independent variables and develop the research hypotheses. The study found that perceived efficiency of VR is related to the perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of VR in journalism. Respondents’ behavioral intentions to accept and adopt VR in journalism are contingent upon how these journalists perceive VR as an innovative way to reach audiences and engage them. The paper contributes to our understanding of respondents’ behavioral intentions to accept and adopt VR in journalism. Those intensions are contingent upon how these journalists perceive VR as an innovative way to reach audiences and engage them, including how various media outlets around the world are using VR.