The Framing of Inflation by the Ethiopian Print Media
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Date
2013-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine how Ethiopian print media framed inflation during
the period of March 2008 to February 2009. The research employed qualitative approach
using textual analysis. Three newspapers namely, Addis Zemen, Reporter and Negadras were
selected for the study. Data was collected using in-depth interview with selected journalists
who work for the sample newspapers as well as from the newspapers published between
March 2008 and February 2009 and also from in-depth interviews with the few journalists
who work for sample newspapers. The findings revealed that the newspapers have framed
their news stories predominantly by selecting which facts to include or exclude, emphasize or
de-emphasize as well as by positioning the information within the news stories. Addis Zemen
defined inflation as a problem caused by various factors and worsened by greedy retailers to
unfairly accumulate wealth. Hence, the need for continuous regulation and punitive measures
against retailers has been in order. It also presented the establishment of consumers
association to effectively curve the inflation. Reporter, on the other hand, defined inflation as
dramatic problem which came about by a number of causes. According to this newspaper, the
cause of inflation was predominantly the gap between supply and demand and recommended
effecting sensible economic development programme. Negadras, on its part, defined inflation
as a problem mainly caused and aggravated by shortage in agricultural produce. Thus,
increasing production and productivity was suggested as a solution.
Lack of knowledge on the part of journalists in the area of economics, reluctance of experts to
serve as sources and the editorial policy were the grounds for the framing to come out as such
in Addis Zemen. For Reporter, the complexity of the issue, freedom on the part of the
journalists to cover issues without interference and strong background in economics and
business education were the grounds for the framing to come out the way it did. Lastly for
Negadras, it was mainly because of the focus of the newspaper on business and economy
which compelled it to side with business firms.
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Inflation by the Ethiopian Print Media