An Examination of Freedom of the Mass Media and Information Proclamation (590/2008) Vis-àvis its Practices
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2013-06
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to examine the current mass media and information proclamation
(590/2008) in light of the present media practice. The study assessed the current status of
freedom of expression and the press based on the views of the practitioners working in both
government and privately owned media. In order to assess the implementation of the media law,
the study examined whether a gap between the law and the practice exists.
Data were collected using semi-structured questions with different journalists, editors, managers
and government officials. The research used deliberative sampling technique to choose key
informants. The researcher purposively selected journalists, editors and managers from both
government and private media in order to get diverse and relevant data important to the study. As
to the conceptual framework, the Hallin and Mancini’s media systems model and other relevant
literatures were reviewed. In addition, the Ethiopian constitution and international standards on
freedom of expression and the press were reviewed.
The finding of the research revealed that a gap exists between the law and its implementation.
There is lack of political commitment on the part of the government in paying attention to the
implementation of the press law. Despite the fact that the press law permits the media to express
opinions or criticisms on various issues, the government is very critical of those views and less
tolerant to criticisms by the media. The absence of strong, credible and all inclusive press council
or union of journalists has significantly affected press freedom in the country. Regardless of very
little improvement, accessing information from public bodies has been the great challenge for the
media, and this in turn affects level of press freedom.
Based on the findings, one can argue that the future of freedom of expression is dependent up on
the contribution of educational institutions, public, media and other relevant stakeholders. The
paper contended that the government could show commitment to the implementation of the press
law. In addition, the government and private media should narrow the polarity between them to
better serve the public and contribute their parts to the growth of the nation.
Description
Keywords
Freedom of the Mass Media