Applications and Challenges of Legal Tools of Private Media in Ethiopia: The Case of Sheger 102.1 Fm Radio Station
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Date
2019-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This study aimed at investigating the Applications and Challenges of legal Tools of private media in Ethiopia, taking Sheger 102.1 FM radio station as a case. In order to achieve the objectives of the study, a qualitative case study design was employed. The qualitative data was obtained using face-to-face in-depth interview from purposefully selected sample of one member of the top management and six journalists including to two former journalists of the radio station. In addition, four government officials from EBA and EIO are included in the study. Interview generated data were thematically analyzed to gain understanding and insight about the phenomenon under investigation and the meaning that participants give to their experiences.
The results of the study revealed that media helps the public to exercise ones constitutional rights freely about various issues of concern. The applications of international and local legal tools and instruments can echoes that citizens entertain their rights. However, despite the fact that there are various legal tools applied to promote the media practice, there exists a bigger gap between the implementations of the actual laws and the un-written laws or policies that are sanctioned by government authorities implies additional challenge on the sector. The highly restrictive and political intervention of state officials restricts independent media organizations not to provide credible information to the public. In addition, the acts of malpractice and media polarization are the result of lack of skilled manpower in the sector. The absence of equal treatment from state officials while accessing timely and accurate information is also additional challenge for journalists in the private media sector, and such act brought additional setback for development of freedom of expression and the press freedom in the country.
Therefore, based on the results of the study, the country’s media situation requires due attention from different stakeholders for the sector to serve the public and the country better.
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Journalisme