A glimpse into the Ethiopian media : in search of democratic promises
(2018) MKVM13 20181Media and Communication Studies
- Abstract
- This thesis aims to investigate the potential of Ethiopian media in promoting citizen participation and contributing to the process of democratization. The research navigates through the media policy document and the day to day media operation guided by theoretical and methodological discussions.
The thesis primarily uses qualitative analysis of media policy content supported by expert interviews. The research findings indicate the Ethiopian media is still haunted by the aftermaths of free media experiments in the early 1990s. The current policy framework is found to be wary of pluralism of political voices anchoring the media’s role in the reinforcement of the dominant ideology.
The research also found out the contestation between... (More) - This thesis aims to investigate the potential of Ethiopian media in promoting citizen participation and contributing to the process of democratization. The research navigates through the media policy document and the day to day media operation guided by theoretical and methodological discussions.
The thesis primarily uses qualitative analysis of media policy content supported by expert interviews. The research findings indicate the Ethiopian media is still haunted by the aftermaths of free media experiments in the early 1990s. The current policy framework is found to be wary of pluralism of political voices anchoring the media’s role in the reinforcement of the dominant ideology.
The research also found out the contestation between the expansion of liberal media ideologies and the sovereignty of national media has been emphasized in the policy document thereby countering these advances by championing development media as the country’s alternative path towards economic development and democratization. Despite the policy’s conviction to revitalize development media by capitalizing on democratic elements, the overall media environment has been found to be influenced by executive intervention, monopoly and tight regulation.
The findings also indicate the contestations between government and opposition voices have resurfaced following recent developments in digital media creating a strong pressure on the government which eventually led to ongoing policy reform initiatives. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/8939614
- author
- Lemma, Anteneh LU
- supervisor
-
- Tobias Linné LU
- organization
- course
- MKVM13 20181
- year
- 2018
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- keywords
- Ethiopia, Media Policy, Public sphere, Participation, Development Democracy
- language
- English
- id
- 8939614
- date added to LUP
- 2019-01-15 13:54:49
- date last changed
- 2019-01-15 13:54:49
@misc{8939614, abstract = {{This thesis aims to investigate the potential of Ethiopian media in promoting citizen participation and contributing to the process of democratization. The research navigates through the media policy document and the day to day media operation guided by theoretical and methodological discussions. The thesis primarily uses qualitative analysis of media policy content supported by expert interviews. The research findings indicate the Ethiopian media is still haunted by the aftermaths of free media experiments in the early 1990s. The current policy framework is found to be wary of pluralism of political voices anchoring the media’s role in the reinforcement of the dominant ideology. The research also found out the contestation between the expansion of liberal media ideologies and the sovereignty of national media has been emphasized in the policy document thereby countering these advances by championing development media as the country’s alternative path towards economic development and democratization. Despite the policy’s conviction to revitalize development media by capitalizing on democratic elements, the overall media environment has been found to be influenced by executive intervention, monopoly and tight regulation. The findings also indicate the contestations between government and opposition voices have resurfaced following recent developments in digital media creating a strong pressure on the government which eventually led to ongoing policy reform initiatives.}}, author = {{Lemma, Anteneh}}, language = {{eng}}, note = {{Student Paper}}, title = {{A glimpse into the Ethiopian media : in search of democratic promises}}, year = {{2018}}, }