Gebru, Amanuel (Phd)Zewdu, Alemseged2020-08-072023-11-082020-08-072023-11-08202-06http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/22032Media relations is basically working with media. It is a specialized branch of public relations aiming at building relationships with media in seeking coverage of news. Similarly, journalists need public relations officers or directors as the source of their news package. And this relationship is crucial in pursuing their job well on both sides. The main focus of the study is to assess the media relations role of the National Council for the Coordination of Public Mobilization for the Construction of Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam Public Relations and Media Communication Directorate. The study employed mixed method of research to give an answer for the research questions in the study and assess the role of media relations in the construction of GERD. The data were collected from 43 journalists and PR director of the National Council purposefully to meet the objectives of the study. The findings were compared with the literature review and theory. The researcher revealed that the National Council has developed relationships with key journalist and the media based on a shared news agenda and is serving as a trusted source of information for journalists. The study concluded that MR practices of the office are not making the journalists’ job easier in delivering news packages on time and the PR tools used by the office have lack of quality. Finally, the study forward recommendations for the National Council Public Relations and Media Communication Directorate to enhance and maximize its media relations practices in building tight relationships to influence the media agenda in the construction of the GERD.en-USMedia relationsThesis