Print Media Framing of the 2015/16 Ethiopian Drought: Addis Zemen and the Reporter Newspapers in Focus
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Date
2016-01
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine how the print media in Ethiopia framed the Ethiopian
2015/16 drought and related issues from September 1, 2015 - December 30, 2015. In thi s study
Addis Zemen and the Reporter (Amharic) were purposefully selected for analysis. Moreover, the
study has employed framing theories as its major theoretical framework and political economy as
its supplementary theory. Qualitative content analys is and in - depth interview were employed to
unde11ake the study. From 37 Addis Zemen publications 49 articles and from 18 The Reporter
publications 35 articles published within four month were analyzed qualitatively. In addition, in
order to strength and verify the qualitative content analysis, in - depth interview were conducted
with 6 journalist and 3 editors who were purposely selected from both newspapers using
purposive sampling. The results of the study revealed that the Ethiopia 20 15116 drought and
related issues were framed and covered by the Addis Zemen and the Reporter newspaper during
the study period. However, the articles lacks continuity and in - depth expert's opinion.
Concerning the dominant frames, the result of the study revealed that while reporting about the
drought both newspapers use different types of frames. Majority of the stories were framed in
attribution of responsibility and human interest frame. Diagnostic frame was the second
dominant frame in Addis Zemen whereas prognostic frame took the same place in Reporter
newspaper. Economic, motivational and morality frames were used on limited extent in both
newspapers especially in Addis Zemen. With regard to political economy, the study also found
out that the ownership and media organizations structure affect the way both newspapers frame
and cover the issue. The government owned newspaper (Addis Zemen) tends to focus more on
reporting successive stories of the government. Whereas, the private owned newspaper
(Reporter) were repo11ing the issue critically. Beside, lack of finance, the issue of self censorship
and knowledge gap were maj or factors that affect the media role whi le covering and framing the
issue. In case of the media ro le, both newspapers were highly used informative role of the media
in the articles with regarding to the relief work. Whereas, Information on warning of the drought
before it happensl in future and creating awareness about the current global weather phenomena
to the farmers and the rest using simple language were used on a very limited extent. With regard
to source information, both newspape rs use government officials and affected people as their
source of information. Experts and other stakeholders were the least quoted sources. The study
also found out that access to information regarding the dro ught from the government was
accessible. On the other hand, donors, experts and NGOs were used as a source on limited extentlevel. However, none of the newspapers use opposition party members as a source. The finding
also showed that the major themes of the stories focus on government and NGOs action, relief,
appeal, donation and on the extent and magnitude of the drought. On the other hand, stories that
focus on waITing of future drought was used on limited extent. But there was no story that
mention about migration. Even if the two newspapers share most of the above themes the way
Addis Zemen covered the issue favor the government. On the contrary, the way the Reporter
covered the issue was more balanced.level. However, none of the newspapers use opposition party members as a source. The finding
also showed that the major themes of the stories focus on government and NGOs action, relief,
appeal, donation and on the extent and magnitude of the drought. On the other hand, stories that
focus on waITing of future drought was used on limited extent. But there was no story that
mention about migration. Even if the two newspapers share most of the above themes the way
Addis Zemen covered the issue favor the government. On the contrary, the way the Reporter
covered the issue was more balanced.level. However, none of the newspapers use opposition party members as a source. The finding
also showed that the major themes of the stories focus on government and NGOs action, relief,
appeal, donation and on the extent and magnitude of the drought. On the other hand, stories that
focus on waITing of future drought was used on limited extent. But there was no story that
mention about migration. Even if the two newspapers share most of the above themes the way
Addis Zemen covered the issue favor the government. On the contrary, the way the Reporter
covered the issue was more balanced.level. However, none of the newspapers use opposition party members as a source. The finding
also showed that the major themes of the stories focus on government and NGOs action, relief,
appeal, donation and on the extent and magnitude of the drought. On the other hand, stories that
focus on waITing of future drought was used on limited extent. But there was no story that
mention about migration. Even if the two newspapers share most of the above themes the way
Addis Zemen covered the issue favor the government. On the contrary, the way the Reporter
covered the issue was more balanced.level. However, none of the newspapers use opposition party members as a source. The finding
also showed that the major themes of the stories focus on government and NGOs action, relief,
appeal, donation and on the extent and magnitude of the drought. On the other hand, stories that
focus on waITing of future drought was used on limited extent. But there was no story that
mention about migration. Even if the two newspapers share most of the above themes the way
Addis Zemen covered the issue favor the government. On the contrary, the way the Reporter
covered the issue was more balanced.level. However, none of the newspapers use opposition party members as a source. The finding
also showed that the major themes of the stories focus on government and NGOs action, relief,
appeal, donation and on the extent and magnitude of the drought. On the other hand, stories that
focus on waITing of future drought was used on limited extent. But there was no story that
mention about migration. Even if the two newspapers share most of the above themes the way
Addis Zemen covered the issue favor the government. On the contrary, the way the Reporter
covered the issue was more balanced.level. However, none of the newspapers use opposition party members as a source. The finding
also showed that the major themes of the stories focus on government and NGOs action, relief,
appeal, donation and on the extent and magnitude of the drought. On the other hand, stories that
focus on waITing of future drought was used on limited extent. But there was no story that
mention about migration. Even if the two newspapers share most of the above themes the way
Addis Zemen covered the issue favor the government. On the contrary, the way the Reporter
covered the issue was more balanced.
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Keywords
Newspapers in Focus, Addis Zemen, Ethiopian Drought