Analysis of the Nature and Magnitude of HIV/AIDS Coverage in Ethiopian Newspapers The Case of Addis Admas and Addis Zemen
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Date
2006-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This thesis sought to assess and examine the nature and magnitude of HIV/AIDS
coverage in two Ethiopian Amharic newspapers: Addis Admas and Addis Zemen.
Content analysis was employed as a main method. In-depth interviews were also made
with the editors of the newspapers. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used
to analyze the data. A chi-square test was also employed to see whether there was a
significant difference between the two newspapers.
To gather data for the content analysis, six months’ editions of the two newspapers
spanning from 11 September 2004 to 2 March 2005 was taken as samples of the study.
All HIV/AIDS related stories found were collected and content analyzed. The analysis
was made based on the type, theme, source, length, origin, placement and length of
stories. The data found from the interviews were used to back up the analysis.
In light of the growing impact that the HIV/AIDS pandemic poses in the country, the
findings reveal that HIV/AIDS issues were languished with very little coverage in both
newspapers. Also, the contents of the articles were found to be insufficiently
comprehensive and thorough to help the readers get practical and important information.
Most of the HIV/AIDS stories were found to be spot news dealing with statistics, speeches
of officials, launches and inaugurations of new programs and organizations working with
HIV/AIDS. Moreover, the sources used were mainly official ones. People living with
HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and other vulnerable groups were scantily used as sources. Above
all the newspapers failed to give prominence to HIV/AIDS stories. Many of the stories
were found to be in the inside pages.
In terms of quantity, the chi-square test shows that there is a significant difference in the
distribution of all categories between the two newspapers. Addis Zemen was better in the
frequency of coverage almost in all categories except in the placement of story. However,
no significant difference was observed in the quality of coverage.
Overall, the results of this study show that the two newspapers gave poor coverage for
the HIV/AIDS related issues.
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Keywords
Magnitude of HIV/AIDS