State Media and Challenges of Covering Rural Development Issues in Ethiopia: A focus on Ethiopian Radio Rural Programs
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Date
2011-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This study aims at exploring challenges In the coverage of rural
development issues through Ethiopian Radio rural programs. The study
basically adopted a pure qualitative method. Focus group discussions,
individual in-depth interviews and review of [Audio Archived] documents
were employed as instruments for data collection. The data were analyzed
thematically. Study results have indicated that covering rural development
issues and events are loos e due to internal and external challenges.
Ethiopian Radio is biased against rural events and stories coverage. Weak
structure of the [rural] programs and shortage of in-job training have been
found as major internal challenges in line with covering rural issues.
Working journalists on the station's rural programs are very limited in
numbers. And they also haven't received regular training opportunities on
rural affairs and how to cover them. Reporting on rural issues takes a
different perspective when it is carried out from actual places. It is difficult
for journalists and reporters to stay more than a day in the remote
countryside where most areas are still without basic social infrastructure.
They are always under pressure to finish their job fast enough to get back
to the nearest town where basic facilities are available. Lack of
sponsors/ advertisers, difficult weather conditions and reluctant to disclose
facts on the part of farmers and local officials are external challenges
journalists face they start rural development coverage.
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Keywords
Rural Development Issues, Ethiopian Radio Rural Programs