The issue of the GERD has reached its climax when Ethiopia was ready to impound the reservoirrnleading the three riparian countries /Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt/ to a new round of intenserndebate disagreement and controversy. Taking this crucial historical moment as an interestingrnand significant topic of research, this thesis is set out with a key purpose of examining how thernmedia outlets in the three countries reported and framed issues related to the first round fillingrnof the GERD. The Ethiopian Herald, Sudan Tribune and Ahram online with their news storiesrnwritten from June 1st to July 31st have been examined. Ten news stories from each media outletrnhave been studied in conjunction with in-depth interviews and close examination of relatedrnliteratures to provide the thesis with additional substance. Theoretical framework utilized for thernstudy is framing and agenda setting theories. Research findings revealed that the EthiopianrnHerald and Ahram online have reported extensively about the first impoundment of the GERDrnthan Sudan Tribune. Prominent frames observed in The Ethiopian Herald were Natural rightsrnframe, exclusion frame and mutual benefit frame. Sudan Tribune has prominently used economicrnconsequence frame and conflict frame while Ahram online inclined to dominantly utilize historicrnrights frame and conflict frame. The issue of the first round filling of the GERD has beenrnreported and framed in a distinctive manner that goes in line with the interest of their respectiverncountries and the agenda setting policy of the media outlets in focus. Drawing arnrecommendation from the research a couple of reflections has been forwarded for further studiesrnto be conducted on the issue of the GERD. Impartiality, balance and professionalism have alsornbeen recommended for the three media outlets studied under this research.