Jornal de Comunicação de Massa e Jornalismo

Investigating Development Journalism Practice in Ethiopian Media: The Case of South Radio and Television Agency

Abstract

Wondimu Legesse

This study has aimed to investigate the practices of development journalism in South Nations Nationalities and Peoples Regional state Radio and Television Agency. The study employed the combination of quantitative and qualitative research approach. The data collection method consist questionnaire, focus group discussion, in-depth interview, and review of sample broadcasted news and program documents (Archive) used as a tool for data collection. Purposive sampling is used to select informants and documents. The finding of study shows the misunderstanding of the concept of development journalism, by the majority of the journalists and media leaders. The pillars of Development Journalism are not clearly articulated in the editorial policy. As the finding revealed, the majority of the development issues focused on success rather than malfunction stories in the media. Event oriented reporting has dominated the long term development process in SRTA.