Development Journalism In Ethiopia Examining The Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporations Watchdogging Role Of Fundamental Rights And Freedoms

The central focus of this study is on assessing the effects of the practice of ‘development journalism’ modelrnof media functioning in the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation on its wider roles as a watchdog in thernprotection and enhancement of fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens. Specifically, this thesisrnattempts to assess the media policy of the country and the programs produced by EBC which fits thernwatchdogging role of fundamental rights and freedoms in their content with nine key informants’ ideas tornshow how the development journalism approach in practice has been affecting the quality of EBC’srnpresentation of human rights issues accurately and persistently.rnThe study employed mixed approach, both qualitative and quantitative. The researcher used both primaryrnand secondary sources of data. Primary data were elicited through in-depth interviews with key informantsrnwhereas secondary data were gathered from sources like books, articles, official documents and otherrnpertinent publications. Selected programs produced by EBC-1 were also examined.rnAfter examining the ‘development journalism’ policy documents of a country, ascertaining the view of keyrninformants, content analysis of selected programs of EBC-1 productions and other written documents, thernstudy has come up with the following findings.rnThe Ethiopian ‘development journalism’ policy document didn’t consider watchdogging role of the EBCrn(state media) as a noble role that media could play. It considered such media as instrument to achieverndevelopment. It framed EBC to stand with government policies and strategies, and initiate the public tornparticipate in development endeavors of the government. The watchdogging role of fundamental rights andrnfreedoms is negatively understood. Hence, most of program presentations in EBC are positively discharged,rneven though there are many defects in the country which needs to be covered. The EBC’s coverage of humanrnrights issues and ability of entertain diverse opinion is weak. The approach of reporting is also top-downrnapproach. However, the study also showed that EBC has been producing some productions which arernplaying role in protection and promotion of human rights like Aend Le Aend (one to one) program, andrnsome sessions of its documentary series. But, such programs are subject to frequent interruption andrnchange. Under this situation the challenges like, absence of editorial independence, inadequate budgetingrnfor investigative programs, lack of professional journalists, self-censorship … preclude EBC fromrnperforming watchdogging role of fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens.

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