September 2nd, 2019
A scientific study conducted as part of an MA thesis concluded that Arabic dubbed cartoons targeting children include implicit sexual media messages, some direct and others indirect. These programs also offer illogical explanation of natural phenomena. Emotional techniques is also excessively used in these cartoons.
The research, by student Tala Abdel-Nassir Al-Sharif, for which she was awarded the master’s degree from the Jordan Media Institute (JMI), discussed three Arabic dubbed cartoons: Sanjai and Craig, The Amazing World of Gumball, and Fairly OddParents. The paper found that around 94% of the content of these cartoons involves implicit messages. Eleven percent of this content contained messages that harm parents’ image, 92% included sexual undertones, and 5% contained racist symbols.
At the end of the thesis defense, the examining panel comprising JMI Dean Dr. Bassim Tweissi - who was also the thesis advisor - Dr. Hilmi Sari, and Dr. Sakr Khasawaneh decided to award Ms. Al-Sharif an MA in Journalism and Modern Media.