Media Framing of the third round filling of GERD. A comparative analysis of Ahram online and Ethiopian Herald Newspaper

Master's Thesis , 2023 , 92 Pages

Politics - Topic: Peace and Conflict, Security

The purpose of the research was to do a comparative analysis of the media framing of the 3rd round filling of GERD by the Ethiopian Herald and Ahram online newspaper. The researcher has used the stories published from August 1st to September 1st of 2022 in both media outlets. For this study, three theoretical frameworks, namely framing theory, agenda setting theory, and the peace journalism approach, were used. 10 news stories from each media outlets have been selected. Textual analysis was the tool employed for data gathering.

The findings of the study revealed that Ahram Online has dominantly utilized historical rights and conflict frames during the study period. The dominant frames communicated during the study period by the Ethiopian Herald were the natural rights frame, the development frame, the exclusion frame, and the mutual benefit frame. The findings of the study revealed that both media outlets have utilized a war-oriented approach during the study period, though the degree varies. The two media outlets reports regarding the two countries diplomatic relationship were undervalued. The phrases and words that have been utilized by both media outlets were undiplomatic.

Based on the analysis, the researcher strongly recommends that building stories or media reports from a peace perspective so as to encourage peace initiatives and undervaluing the violent response to the conflict will be the cure to the ongoing dispute over GERD. It is also recommended that it would be excellent if the issue of GERD is closely monitored by the relevant bodies in the respective countries in order to eliminate any conflicts that may occur as a result of the media's unfavorable role.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• CHAPTER ONE
  • INTRODUCTION
  • 1.1 Background of the study.
  • 1.2 Statement of the Problem
  • 1.3 Objective of the study
  • 1.3.1 Specific Objective...........
  • 1.4 Research questions .......
  • 1.5 Significance of the study..
  • 1.6 Scope of the Study.......
  • 1.7 Limitation of the study.
  • 1.8 Organization of the study.
• CHAPTER TWO
  • REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
  • 2.1 Overview of the Nile .....
  • 2.2 Colonial era agreements.
  • 2.2.1 The 1891 Anglo-Italian Protocol...........
  • 2.2.2 The 1906 Tripartite agreement between Great Britain, France and Italy.
  • 2.2.3 The Anglo-Egyptian Agreement of 1929.
  • 2.2.4 The Egyptian-Sudanese Agreement of 1959
  • 2.3 Water Conflict……………………………..\li>
  • 2.3.1 Resolving water conflicts
  • 2.4 The Disagreement over GERD
  • 2.5 The Ethiopian perspective of GERD..
  • 2.6 Seven pillars of trans-boundary water cooperation..........\li>
  • 2.7 Communicating Water Issues to National and International Audiences
  • 2.8 Media and Diplomacy.
  • 2.9 Theoretical Frameworks

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This research aims to conduct a comparative analysis of the media framing of the third round filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) by the Ethiopian Herald and Ahram Online newspapers. By analyzing news stories published between August 1st and September 1st of 2022, the study seeks to understand the different perspectives and frames employed by each media outlet in reporting on this controversial issue.

• Media Framing of the GERD
• Comparative Analysis of Ethiopian Herald and Ahram Online
• Peace Journalism and Media Diplomacy
• The Impact of Media Framing on International Relations
• The Role of the GERD in Water Conflict and Cooperation

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The first chapter provides an introduction to the study, outlining its background, problem statement, objectives, research questions, significance, scope, limitations, and organization. It sets the stage for the subsequent analysis of the media framing of the GERD.

Chapter two delves into a comprehensive review of related literature. It explores the historical context of the Nile River, including colonial-era agreements and water conflicts. It examines the disagreement surrounding the GERD and highlights both the Ethiopian perspective and the broader principles of trans-boundary water cooperation. The chapter also explores the role of media and diplomacy in communicating water issues and introduces the theoretical frameworks guiding the research.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The research focuses on the following keywords: GERD, third round filling of reservoir, Nile River, Ethiopia, Egypt, Framing, Peace Journalism, media diplomacy, trans-boundary water cooperation, conflict resolution, and international relations.

• College: College of Arts and Social Sciences-MSU (Peace and Conflict transformation)
• Author: Desalegn Ayalew (Author)
• Publication Year: 2023
• Pages: 92
• Catalog Number: V1383833
• ISBN (PDF): 9783346937810
• ISBN (Book): 9783346937827
• Language: English
• Tags: media, framing, gerd, ahram, ethiopian, herald, newspaper