A Comparative Analysis of the Coverage of NEBE in Addis Zemen and Reporter Newspapers BY MESFIN BOGALE
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Date
2005-12
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
These days, the role of media is vital in informing, educating, and controlling the
malpractices of democratic institutions in any country, regardless of their level of
development. But this importance becomes even more crucial in countries that are
undergoing transitions to full-fledged democracies. As elections are the gateway to
democracy, the role of the media should be prominent when it comes to covering
elections.
In this study, the researcher aimed to analyze and compare coverage by the
government and the private press of the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE)
while the May 2005 general elections were being conducted. To this effect, the
researcher mainly used content analysis to investigate coverage of two purposely
selected newspapers, the government-run Amharic daily, Addis Zemen, and the
private biweekly Reporter, in order to examine the media’s role during elections,
keeping in mind its watchdog and agenda setting roles. A total of 575 stories in 118
publications were reviewed. Supplementary to the quantitative data, qualitative data
was collected through key informant interviews. Data was analyzed using an
appropriate statistical tool (SPSS). Accordingly, Addis Zemen was found to be partisan
to the government. In particular, editorials were found to be biased towards the NEBE.
In contrast, Reporter was highly critical of the NEBE. It published stories that
appeared more neutral and positive-toned. In light of the findings, the researcher
concluded that Addis Zemen was unethical in the way it covered the May elections.
The paper failed to meet professional standards. Based on the findings and reviewed
literature, the researcher recommended that journalists working for the governmentaffiliated
Addis Zemen needed to work towards impartiality, the core of journalistic
ethics, in all kinds of reporting and particularly in such delicate matters as elections.
One of the ways they could develop sensitivity to neutrality, it was recommended,
would be by undergoing professional training in journalism.
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Addis Zemen and Reporter Newspapers