Framing of Identity and Boundary Disputes by Regional Media in Ethiopia: Amhara TV and Tigrai TV in Focus

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Date

2020-10

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Publisher

AAU

Abstract

In recent years many were attacked and displaced due to their identity in different parts of Ethiopia. Clashes associated with ‘identity and boundary questions’ cost the lives of many peoples, especially in Amhara and Tigrai regional states. The media having a pivotal role in calming down such kind of situation rather worsen the causality. This research critically explored how regional media, particularly Amhara TV and Tigrai TV framed ‘identity and boundary questions’ from September 1, 2018- March 30, 2019. Informed by framing and political economy theories, the study applied both quantitative and qualitative methods to achieve the objective of this study. Sixty purposively selected news stories from both media were analyzed and interpreted to examine types of news frames and news sources used while reporting such issues. The findings of this study showed the media employed various types of news frames to attain their interest. While Amhara TV focused on broadcasting the ‘identity’ based killings and jailing, Tigrai TV’s framing stressed on identity questions of Ethiopian’s were already solved and associated the issue with the federal government meddling. The research concludes that both media institutions employed several framing technics that would harm the coexistence of people and puts recommendations on how to alleviate the gaps.

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Clashes associated with ‘identity and boundary questions’ cost the lives of many peoples

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