University Students‟ and Teachers‟ Perception on Nature of News: The Case of EBC Television
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Date
2018-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Television news, due to its unique features of the audio-visual effects and live transmissions of
events, is among the most widely consumed sources of information worldwide. Likewise, the
Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) television has been serving as a national
mainstream news media in the Country since its establishment. This study, therefore, mainly
investigates perception on nature of news from EBC television among students and teachers of
Kotebe Metropolitan University (KMU) and St. Mary’s University (SMU). The study attempts to
find out the extent to which these students and teachers use EBC television as a news source and
it also explores the existing alternative sources of news used by the same participants of the
study.
The theoretical frameworks used to underpin this study include the Uses and Gratifications
Theory, the Reception Theory, the Agenda Setting Theory and the Cognitive Dissonance Theory.
Mixed design approach particularly the convergent parallel design was employed to conduct this
study. Thus, questionnaire was administered to obtain data from 200 student respondents who
were selected using systematic random sampling technique. On the other hand, in-depth
interviews were undertaken with 10 teacher participants who were selected purposefully. The
descriptive statistical analysis especially frequency, and percentage were applied to analyze the
quantitative data. Similarly, mean scores were also used in the quantitative analysis. On the
other hand, the interview responses were analyzed qualitatively.
The major findings of this study show that EBC television news lacked accuracy and
transparency. This news media did not present investigative reporting and it was also less
helpful in informing the general public for it sometimes either distorted facts or delayed
information of their concern. The study, on the other hand, reveals that more than half of the
respondents watched EBC television news for three and less days a week while only very few of
the respondents attended this news media on daily basis. Connected with this, EBC television as
a news source was also rated “among the least utilized” as compared to other news media.
Conversely, the study finding showed that various television and radio news channels, news
tubes, online news sources, and newspapers were used as alternative sources of news.
It is, therefore, highly recommended that EBC television news service strictly observe the
principles for objective news reporting in the interest of the general public.
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Case of EBC Television