Challenges of Journalists in Reporting Politics: A Comparative Study of FM Addis 97.1 and Sheger FM 102.1 Radios
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Date
2011-11
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This study is intended to identify challenges of journalists, working in government and private
FM radios, in repoiting political related issues. The rationale behind it is that as long as these
newly coming FM radios are functioning in a country which needs more and more economic,
political and social improvements; and as long as they are reporting serious political issues such
as election and other; their performances and contributions to the political and social arena of the
country; and the constraints faced by the journalists in reporting political issues should be
studied. To this end, the study uses focus group discussion (FGD) and in-depth interview to get
data from the jomnalists in FM Addis 97.1 and Sheger FM 102.1 radios and Key Informants in
EBA, NEBE, EJA and EFJA. The study focuses on the views and experiences of journalists.
Thematic analysis has been used to discuss and analyze the data. Verbatim transcription of
verbal data, production of initial codes, identification of theme, revision of theme, naming and
defining theme and producing the final report are the important steps the study follows. The
findings of the study show some major constraints to the journalists in political reporting, three
of which have been summarized here. One is their poor relationship with government officials
and politicians. On the one hand, with some underestimation most government officials prefer
'the government journalists' than 'the private ones'. They give information to the government
journalists beforehand. However, many of the opposition political party leaders and members do
not like the government journalists. On the other hand, the private radio journalists are in between;
that is to say, they have moderate relation with both the government and the
oppositions. Second, concerning access to government information, journalists in government
media have more access than the private ones. But they themselves are facing problems of the
deliberate act of delaying information by the officials and they are not eligible to report foreign
relations issues directly by themselves. Whereas, the main problem for the journalists in Sheger
FM 102.1 is that many of the goverrunent officials are reluctant to give them information
because they are 'private radio journalists'. Distorted and biased information is also a problem
for them. Third, lack of professional freedom is another constraint for the government media
journalists than the private ones. The government officials intervene in the works of the
journalists, especially whenever serious issues arise in the country. For which reason, they do
self-censorship. But they are free in their routine repoiting of issues which are not serious.
Contrary to this, the private journalists are enjoying their professional freedom. They have no
any proprietor or commercial influence in their works.
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Keywords
Journalists, Reporting Politics, Comparative Study