The staff member in the UQU Department of Mass Communication, Prof. Wadi` bin Muhammad Al-Az`azi, issued a new book entitled, “Rumors and Social Media Networks ... Risks and Means of Confrontation”, which was published in Arabic by Dar Al-Hamed for Publishing and Distribution in Jordan.

Prof. Al-Az`azi stressed that his keenness in writing this book was the result of the significant effect of social media in our lives as an important source of news and various types of information. The book contains four chapters. He noted that intellectuals and opinion writers currently use social media to engage with their audience and deliver their opinions. Such techniques leave a huge impact on those who use the internet.

He remarked that in order to control such internet followers, some users treat social media as a fertile ground to spread rumors and false news. Such a matter poses a serious challenge for the users of these networks in distinguishing between true and false information. He indicated that the idea of the book, “Rumors and Social Media Networks ... Risks and Means of Confrontation”, stemmed to confront such challenges, using modern scientific methods and techniques in the new media.

The book contains 130 pages distributed into four chapters. In the first chapter, the researcher reviewed: what are rumors, their goals, characteristics, types, phases of their formation, and factors that spread them, in two sections. The second chapter discusses: the concept of social media, its features, types, and effects, in two sections. The third chapter discusses: the reality of rumors in social media and the relation of social media websites with rumors, the role of social media networks in spreading rumors, how rumors are spread as well as their sources, in addition to the individual's identity on social media.

In the fourth chapter, Prof. Al-Az`azi discussed the risks of rumors and means of confronting them, in two sections. The first section analyzed the risks of rumors and their effects on the community, while the second section discussed means of confronting rumors in social media networks.

The Head of the Mass Communication Department in the College of Social Sciences, Dr. Salim bin Ali Uraijah, said that the issuance of this book comes within the research and scientific momentum witnessed in the Department, and due to the fact that the Department has high-qualified calibers. He said the Department has set a work plan in line with the University's strategic plan and also in conformity with the Saudi Vision 2030, through which the Department seeks to develop concepts of scientific research in media sciences and its new developments that are currently witnessed in the world.

Dr. Salim Uraijah appreciated the support and guidance provided by the President of the University, His Excellency Prof. Abdullah bin Omar Bafail, to the Department's future vision and plan. He then praised the support provided by the Dean of the College of Social Sciences, Dr. Adnan bin Nuri Al-Harbi. He also said he appreciated the efforts exerted by the academic staff and their interaction with the Department's activities and events in such a manner which will have a positive impact on the students of the Department, who will participate in the development of the nation.