The purpose of this study was to examine sustainability and the roles Ethiopian media council (EMC) plays in addressing the issues the media faces in Ethiopia. In order to assess the sustainability and roles of EMC, the study examined determinant factors of sustainability and success of the council. The study employed mainly qualitative, in-depth interview and complemented by quantitative, structured questionnaires, research methods. Data were thematically analyzed based on related literature reviews, in-depth interviews, and findings from questionnaires. The social responsibility theory remains central in guiding this study. The study revealed media community do not reach consensus on the roles of EMC plays in the industry because a clear understanding and explanation of the council role was not given. The result showed EMC is not independent (from government and media proprietors) to deal fairly with complaints and to secure public trust and confidence. The findings also indicated that the council does not bring the entire media platform (online & offline) because of this it will be difficult for the EMC to enforce a code of conduct. In addition, government interference, lack of finance, lack of commitment and cooperation, media polarization, conflict of interests and distrust among media society are major challenges for the EMC in promoting and sustaining freedom of expression and media freedom. Based on the findings of the study, recommendations have been forwarded.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
1.1.1 Why Study Media Council?
1.2. Statement of the Study
1.3. General Objective of the Study
1.3.1. Specific Objectives
1.4. Research Questions
1.5. Significance of the Study
1.6. Scope of the Study
1.7. Limitations of the Study
1.8. Organization of the Study
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW & THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
2.1 Media Regulation: Overview
2.1.1 Why Media Regulated?
2.1.2 Basic Models of Media Regulation
2.2 Media Freedom
2.3 The Concept of Media Self-Regulation
2.3.1 Advantages of Self-Regulation
2.4 Media Self-Regulation in Africa
2.5 Legal Framework in Ethiopia
2.5.1 The Freedom of the Mass Media and Access to Information Proclamation 590/2008
2.5.2 Broadcasting Service Proclamation 533/2007
2.5.3 The anti-terrorism proclamation 652/2009
2.6 Media Self-Regulation in Ethiopia
2.7 Media Council
2.7.1 Functions of Media Council
2.9 Theoretical Framework
2.9.1 Social Responsibility Theory
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Research Design
3.3 Data Sources
3.4 Data Collection Techniques
3.4.1 In-depth Interview
3.5 Sampling Techniques
3.5.1 Key Informants
3.6 Issues of Reliability and Validity
3.6.1 Validity
3.7 Ethical Considerations
3.8 Pilot Study
3.9 Data Analysis and Presentation
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Media Regulation and Freedom of Expression in Ethiopia
4.3 The Significance of Media Self-Regulation in Ethiopia
4.4 The Ethiopian Media Council
4.4.1 Perception of Roles of the Ethiopian Media Council
4.5 Determinants of the EMC Sustainability and Success
4.5.1 Members of EMC
4.5.2 The EMC Code of Ethics
4.5.3 Awareness about the EMC
4.5.4 Source of Income
4.5.5. The Mandate and Sanctions of the EMC
4.5.6 The Structure and composition of the EMC
4.6 Current Effort to Register and Functionalize the EMC
4.7 Challenges the EMC faces
CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1 Conclusion
5.2 Recommendations
Research Objectives and Topics
The primary objective of this study is to examine the sustainability and the roles of the newly established Ethiopian Media Council (EMC) in realizing media self-regulation in Ethiopia, while also assessing the factors that influence its success and effectiveness within the national media industry.
- Sustainability and operational challenges of the Ethiopian Media Council.
- Perceptions and awareness of journalists regarding media self-regulation.
- The impact of existing legal frameworks on freedom of expression in Ethiopia.
- The role of fundraising and membership eligibility in institutional stability.
- Structural and compositional determinants of the council's independence.
Excerpt from the Book
1.1 Background of the Study
Independence of media regulatory bodies is a vital condition for the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of expression. According to Bussiek (2008), the emergence of media councils has been linked to the media’s desire to avert statutory regulations that are often seen as deliberate attempts to quiet freedom of the media. And the concept of a media council to self-regulate is based upon the fact that disputes over media content and behaviors of practitioners should be resolved by some independent but non-legal body. Andrew Puddephatt (2011) argued self-regulation preserves the independence of the media and protects it from partisan government interference.
Accordingly, media councils are the forum where people can send the complaints against the irresponsible functioning of the media. And its main task is to deal with complaints about the work of the media, through collective decision making. By doing this, media council offer guarantees to the public about the quality of information the public receives, demonstrate that media professionals are responsible.
So, the prime functions of media councils are to increase the accountability of the media to the public. According to Day (2003) media, councils are composed of the cross section of the community and the media that are designed to investigate complaints against the media, investigate the charges, and then publish their findings. And to sustain their freedom and avoid the involvement of the coercive power of government, the media voluntarily set up media council to scrutinize failings of social responsibility that might spoil their image of disinterested public service.
Summary of Chapters
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION: This chapter introduces the study, outlines the background and significance of the Ethiopian Media Council, and defines the research objectives and questions.
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW & THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK: This section covers global perspectives on media regulation, the concept of self-regulation, the legal landscape in Ethiopia, and the application of social responsibility theory.
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: This chapter details the mixed-method research design, including in-depth interviews and questionnaire surveys used to gather and analyze data.
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS: This chapter presents the empirical findings regarding the EMC's roles, challenges, sustainability, and the perceptions of stakeholders in the Ethiopian media landscape.
CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: The final chapter summarizes the study's conclusions and offers recommendations to improve the sustainability and effectiveness of the EMC.
Keywords
Ethiopian Media Council, Media Self-Regulation, Freedom of Expression, Media Accountability, Social Responsibility Theory, Journalism Ethics, Media Regulation, Statutory Regulation, Co-Regulation, Press Freedom, Media Independence, Professional Standards, Media Sustainability, Stakeholder Engagement, Ethiopian Constitution.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core purpose of this study?
The research fundamentally aims to examine the sustainability and functional roles of the Ethiopian Media Council in addressing industry challenges and advancing media self-regulation in Ethiopia.
What are the primary themes discussed in the work?
The key themes include media independence, the legal and regulatory environment for press freedom, the mechanisms of self-regulation, and the institutional challenges facing the newly established Media Council.
What is the primary research question?
The study primarily investigates what roles the Ethiopian Media Council plays in the industry, how journalists understand these roles, and what factors, such as fundraising and membership criteria, affect its ability to function sustainably.
Which methodology does the author employ?
The research utilizes a mixed-method approach, combining qualitative in-depth interviews with key industry informants and a quantitative survey involving structured questionnaires distributed to journalists and media professionals.
What topics does the main body cover?
The main body treats the history and theoretical framework of media regulation, provides an analysis of the Ethiopian legal system, and presents detailed findings regarding the perception, structure, and challenges of the Ethiopian Media Council.
Which keywords characterize this publication?
The study is characterized by terms such as media self-regulation, Ethiopian Media Council, press freedom, accountability, social responsibility theory, and media sustainability.
What specific challenges does the author identify for the Ethiopian Media Council?
The author identifies critical hurdles, including government interference, a lack of sustainable financing, polarization within the media community, insufficient public awareness, and a lack of clear membership eligibility.
How does the author view the role of government in media regulation?
The author explores the tension between state-led control and self-regulation, concluding that excessive government involvement threatens the independence and credibility required for a truly effective self-regulatory body.
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- Bereket Shimelis (Autor:in), 2017, Sustainability and Roles of the Ethiopian Media Council, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/372372
