Main Stream Media and Conflict Reporting in Ethiopian: the Case of Esat and Fbc

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Date

2021-08

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Addis Ababa University

Abstract

In this environment of increasing conflict, the mass media are powerful means of communication in the field of conflict area. Therefore, the title of this thesis is how the main stream media reports conflict in Ethiopia with a particular focus on Fana Broadcasting Corporate (FBC) and Ethiopian Satellite Television (ESAT) since 2018. Specifically, this research sought to answer three main research questions. There are; how did the selected media cover the incidents that have happened in Ethiopia since 2018, what is the media's role in conflict reporting during the sampled period. And what theme do they use when reporting violence that occurred during the sample period on selected mainstream media sites. To carry out this research, the researcher used qualitative methodology and Case study research design. Data were collected through qualitative Television texts news and key informant Interviews with the media practitioner, journalist, news reporter and program editors, media personals The finding of this thesis showed that, the sampled media were playing important role in informing public about the violent incidents. But the sampled media to effectively report the incidents in accordance with ethics of journalism. The sampled media did not use appropriate sources that clearly reported the incident of conflict by investigation the causes, processes, and consequences of the violent incident clearly. In addition to the above also reporting the violent incident reported mainly sourced the government officials, they did not include ordinary peoples, ideas, opinions, perceptions and the victims to produce a clear and complete story in conflict. This was against the ethics of journalism and missed the general guidelines of conflict sensitive reporting. Finally, from the finding we conclude that FBC and ESAT did not report the sampled conflict incidents in accordance with international rule and ethics of journalism.

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Keywords

Media, Violence, Conflict reporting, Peace Journalism

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