Browsing by Author "Tsadik, Tsigeweini"

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    Ethiopian Newspapers’ Framing of Orphaned Children’s Issues
    (Addis Ababa University, 2008-01) Tsadik, Tsigeweini; Sparks, Glenn (Professor)
    Decades have passed since the ever-increasing number of orphans has become one of the social problems prevalent in Ethiopia. This study primarily intended to examine how the Ethiopian newspapers framed the issues of orphaned children in terms of themes dealt with and sources quoted during 2005-2006, Framing theory was used as a conceptual frame to conduct the study. Both quantitative and qualitative data was collected from three sample newspapers (Addis Zemen, Addis Admas and Reporter) that were purposefully selected in order to ensure diversity in content and ownership. Content analysis was used as a major research method. Two trained coders coded 147 articles, which correspond to the criteria’s set by the researcher. Further, in depth interviews were conducted with key informants of the respective organizations. The result of the study indicated that the newspapers focus on appeal with the primary aim of mobilizing the indigenous community. The newspapers employed a number of different frames while covering orphaned children is issues. Event and appeal frame as compared to the diagnostic and prognostic frames. The newspapers framed the problem as something that happened suddenly and as if it could be solved using temporary aids. Moreover, the newspapers attributed the responsibility of solving the problem to the indigenous communities. The newspapers dominantly used non-governmental organizations as sources. Although Government officials were used as sources largely, the orphaned children, experts and the indigenous communities were non-existent in the newspapers. The orphaned children were not only remained unheard but also were attached to charity and depicted as “dependent”.