Browsing by Author "Abota, Arka (PhD)"

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    Assessing Media Coverage of Amhara - Qimant Conflict: Addis Zemen, Bekur and Reporter in Focus
    (AAU, 2020-11) Aynalem Mengistie, Desalegn; Abota, Arka (PhD)
    Media reportage on conflict contributes to the resolution or, to the contrary, escalation of conflict. This study rooted on examining the media coverage of the Amhara – Qimant conflict by relying on Addis Zemen, Reporter and Bekur. Based on the problem statement and the reviewed literatures, this research developed the following three research questions. How do the three newspapers portray causes of the conflict? How the three newspapers do cover the news of the conflict from the ethical perspective? What does the contribution of the three newspapers to flare or resolute the conflict looks like? The research used qualitative research approach to interpret the news stories about the conflict. The research was guided by the Framing Theory. Through the interpretations made, it was found that the three newspapers‟ source selection was inappropriate for its complete dependency to government officials and ignorance to victims of armed conflicts, eye witness, inhabitants, elders, religious fathers, and conflicting groups. Most of the news stories were also found event based news stories that based on events such as press conferences, government briefings, conferences and press releases. As a result, the three newspapers‟ interest to dig the truth and search of reality beyond from what is said from different events was found too limited. The three newspapers conveyed the root cause of the conflict as a vested interest of some armed groups with hidden agenda though noting is said who these groups might be. This research also unveils that most of the news stories of the three newspapers were contributing for peaceful resolution of the conflict. In doing so, they focused on filling the communication gap between the two people, stressing on the long lasting unity of the two brotherly and sisterly people, promoting peaceful discussion among the public and isolating the groups with hidden agenda from the public‟s interest Furthermore, while the news stories of the three newspapers showed limitations in seeking the truth, and giving balanced viewpoints of the conflicting parties, they were all found ethical. The newspapers were ethical in terms of prioritizing humanity, impartiality and minimizing harm.
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    The contributions of media in minimizing illegal migration in Ethiopia: the case of Fana FM, Deutsche Welle and Voice of America Amharic Radio Programs
    (Addis Ababa University, 2018-06) Gebeyehu, Firesenay; Abota, Arka (PhD)
    A number of research papers and study reports that have been written on the subject of illegal migration from Ethiopia have definitely given indispensable information and facts that clarify the magnitude of illegal migration, its causes, the various routes and trafficking channels, the type and extent of dangerous effects, economic and human loses and possible actions for its mitigation. However, none of these studies were able to specifically assess the current status as well as potential contributions of media outlets that broadcast with domestic languages to address this huge social problem of our country. This research paper is written with the aim of partially bridging this gap through analyzing the existing practices and contributions of three selected media outlets namely; Fana FM 98.1, Deutsche Welle and Voice of America Amharic Radio Services to reduce illegal migration taking place from Ethiopia in particular via Yemen to Saudi Arabia. Combinations of data collection and analysis methods and tools have been employed for this study. Qualitative content analysis of programs broadcasted; in-depth interview with experts from media, international organizations and government institutions as well as focus group discussions with migrant female returnees from Saudi were main means of primary data and information gathering techniques utilized for this study. In addition, the descriptive analyses of the findings presented in chapter four with support of tabular and graphic presentations, the three media outlets have broadcasted 127 programs or news in total during the period January, 2015 to December, 2017 to aware citizens about illegal migration. Despite the existence of relative difference among the three media outlets and occurrence of a number of serious challenges, as initially put in my hypothesis, it was able to understand that all the three media outlets in one way or another have contributed to minimize the illegal migration from Ethiopia to Saudi Arabia through Yemeni.
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    Cultural Diplomacy as an Instrument of Communication in Image Building: the Case of Ethiopia
    (Addis Ababa University, 2018-06) Bayulign, Dereje; Abota, Arka (PhD)
    Cultural diplomacy plays an indispensable role in image building. These days, countries are using cultural diplomacy as an integral part of their diplomatic activities ever than before. It is being considered as an important aspect to cooperate, to create mutual understanding, to build trust, and ultimately to bring change in the economic, social, and political aspects. The ministry of foreign affairs and the ministry of culture and tourism are selected for the study .A qualitative approach is used. Content analysis and interview method are employed in the study. Three directorates are selected because they qualify better for the study. Three directors and four directors are the interviewees of the study. Efforts are being made by the Ethiopian government to build the image of the country abroad by using cultural diplomacy. Compared to the rich cultural potential of the country, the Ethiopian government does not fully use this cultural wealth to promote the image of the country abroad. The country does not get what it ought to get from its cultural wealth. There seems to be a lack of coordination among different stakeholders of cultural diplomacy. There is a lack of an integrated policy direction which coordinates different stakeholders to make cultural diplomacy fruitful in building the image of the country abroad. To make cultural diplomacy programs successful, trained manpower is needed. There is a lack of experts who are trained in cultural diplomacy. This has brought its own negative influence in using cultural diplomacy to build the image of the country abroad. There is a lack of general integrated institutional framework which supervises the implementation of cultural diplomacy to build the image of the country abroad. There is no strong central authority which leads the progress and success of cultural diplomacy. There is somewhat a financial constraint to conduct cultural diplomacy programs .In fact as a country which is struggling to reduce poverty; finance limits the success of cultural diplomacy programsKey Words  Diplomacy  Foreign Policy  Culture  Cultural Policy  Cultural Diplomacy  National Image  Image Building
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    Human Rights Violation Reporting Experience in Ethiopia: The Case of Addis Zemen and Ethiopis in Comparative perspective
    (AAU, 2020-08) Wolde, Beyene; Abota, Arka (PhD)
    This research attempted to examine the status of Addis Zemen and Ethiopis in human rights violations reporting, which is a means to the promotion and protection of these rights. The two newspapers were chosen to examine the practices in government and private media institutions. In order to examine the role that the newspapers played in reporting human rights violation, the researcher employed qualitative research method. In-depth interview was conducted with 6 purposively selected journalists while selected articles from both newspapers were also analyzed. Data which were gathered from primary and secondary sources were comparatively analyzed. The study revealed that there were significant differences in reporting human rights violation in the country. Ethiopis was far better than Addis Zemen in humanitarian crisis reporting. Major causes for human rights violation got attention in every week’s publication of Ethiopis. However, Addis Zemen refrained from reporting humanitarian crisis. The other difference which was found by the study is that almost all Ethiopis’s articles on the issue were critical of government; however Addis Zemen’s were pro government. Many stories in Addis Zemen sourced government officials, however victims in Ethiopis.
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    Organizational reform and the location of public relations at the federal executive organs in Ethiopia: Challenges and prospects
    (AAU, 2021-07) Lamaro, Mengistu; Abota, Arka (PhD)
    Organizational reform and the location of public relations at the federal executive organs in Ethiopia: Challenges and prospects Mengistu Lamaro Addis Ababa University, May 2021 The federal executive organs in Ethiopia went through structural and functional reforms aimed at making them fit to the socio-economic and political reforms in 2018. The impact of this reform on the public relations sector at both central government and federal executive organs did not get adequate attention. This study aimed to examine the impacts of organizational reform on the public relations processes in the federal executive organs of Ethiopia. The result of this study is supposed to inform the concerned parties about the status quo of the PRs sector along with the existing challenges and thus initiate them to respond accordingly. A quantitative research design was employed to conduct a descriptive survey on the case at hand. Through a quantitative analysis of data collected from different sources using a combination of instruments, the study found that the organizational reform actions introduced in 2018 affected the roles and functions of PRs in the federal executive organs more seriously than the structural location of the process. Even though the national public relations sector leading organization was dissolved by law, the public relations units remained at the usual location accountable and directly reporting to the executive management of their respective organizations. However, functionally, the public relations were pushed out of the decision making management team, missed opportunities to access decisions they were supposed to inform the public on timely manner. With some emerging issues and lacking of resources as well as enabling environment which affect the day to day practices of the public relations functions, therefore, the practitioners limited themselves to insignificant routines than core public relations functions. In tackling the issues affecting their functioning, the public relations practitioners should, therefore, have to stride further in practicing their functions in a professional manner so that they can get recognition by the key stakeholders. Moreover, the practitioners should focus on key public relations roles might help them get noticed and sought after. The Press Secretariat department should resume the undergoing reform initiatives, and support the public relations sector professionalism by fully implementing the sector plans and programs handed over from the GCAO.