The Role of Media in Policy Making Process in Ethiopia: the Case of Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC)
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Date
2017-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
In principle one of the fundamental roles of the media is to critically scrutinize governmental affairs: that is to act as the ‘Fourth Estate’ of government to ensure that the government can be held accountable by the public. And media have both direct and indirect influences on policy, and can, at various times, serve as a contributor to policy, a conduit of policy information, and a mirror to the policy process. But there is a widespread belief that EBC as a national media is not carrying out all its responsibilities accordingly. The main focus of the study was to undertake an assessment on Contribution of Media for Policy Making Process in Ethiopia, particularly EBC. A qualitative research methodology has been followed in the study, and a case study design has been utilized. Purposive sampling technique has been employed to identify the potential study participants from the study’s target population. Questionnaires and key informant interview have been used as the primary data gathering tool. Secondary data have been acquired by reviewing published or unpublished written documents. Finally, it was found out that EBC’s nature and personality today can drive one to come to terms that it is unfit to be a symbol of national media with all its failures to serve the public genuinely and carrying out its all responsibility accordingly. High level of government interference, lack of public participation, unethical and unprofessional reporting, and weak implementation of investigative journalism are among the major challenges.
Description
A Thesis Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies of Addis Ababa University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Master’s Degree of Public Management and Policy in the Department of Public Administration and Development Management
Keywords
Investigative journalism, Media, Policy making process