Jemaneh, Agaredech (PhD)Dametie, Kassaye2019-08-272023-11-082019-08-272023-11-082019-06http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/18867Even though journalists are obligated to be free and fair reporters, when it comes to the ground different factors affect the way they report the story directly or indirectly. One of these factors is accepting brown envelope from sources. In Ethiopia Brown envelope journalism is observed in a wide range for a multiple of reasons. This research intends to analyze the trend of accepting Brown envelope by comparing private and government owned media institutions namely ETV, FM Addis 97.1, ENN TV and Zami 90.7 FM radio. And also this paper lookup the extent and existence of brown envelop in Ethiopian media. The purpose of this research is to make a comparative analysis between the selected state and private owned news media concerning the acceptance (trend) of brown envelope. The data was collected both in quantitative and qualitative research method. Through questionnaires and in-depth interview data was collected. A total of 95 questionnaires were used to collect data from reporters and PR officials. Social responsibility theory and media ethics are used as a theoretical and conceptual frame work in this study. This study found out that accepting brown envelop is higher in private media (ENN and Zami 90.7 FM radio) than the government (ETV, FM Addis 97.1). Payment in private media‟s was found out to be lower than the government media‟s comparatively. Generally speaking low salary is the main reason that the reporters accept money. Brown envelope has an impact in news content, quality, length or duration even tone of the news. Brown Envelopes journalism is at a rampant stage in Ethiopia. Cash for coverage is being practiced in news media houses. Reporters are chasing events and covering more stories that have promising money rather than shouldering their social responsibility. Raising reporter‟s salary that is adequate to the living standard needs to be implemented to avoid brown envelope and its influence. Private media‟s should develop a working in house ethics and system that guides reporters. To control the trend of accepting brown envelope, tightening up media ethics regulations should be embedded.enJournalismeThesis