Self-Censorship in News Production: The Case of Ethiopian Radio and Television Agency

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Date

2014-06

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Publisher

Addis Ababa University

Abstract

There are indications that Ethiopian Radio and Television Agency journalists practice self-censorship in news production. Self-censorship is the tendency to leave out or omit partially or fully a news item. The main objective of this study is to explore how wide spread the practice is among Ethiopian Radio and Television Agency journalists and how often is the practice and the reasons for the practice. By situating the issue on the two basic theoretical frame work of . social control (McQuail 1984) and gatekeeping (Lewin 1947) theory the study outlines and estimates the practice of self-censorship in the specific organization. A blend of the qualitative and quantitative methodologies was used to collect data. The qualitative methodology includes an in-depth interview used to collect the data on such issues; how wide spread journalists practice self-censorship and how often they censor their work and the reasons for the practice. The quantitative methodology was used to collect extra information which was not addressed by the above. The quantitative methodology was conducted by distributing self completion questionnaires.

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Keywords

Self-Censorship, News Production

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