This research attempted to examine the practice and challenges of media coverage of entrepreneurship issues in Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC). Specifically, the study evaluated the extent of the coverage and prominence being offered to entrepreneurship news, the source of entrepreneurship news, the way of presentation of massages in the stories (frame) and challenges of reporting on entrepreneurship news.
The study was formed by development communication, social responsibility and framing theoretical frameworks. The study employed mainly quantitative method and supplemented by qualitative one. A content analysis was conducted on the stories carried by the corporation to provide a brief description on the extent of the coverage, frames and source of entrepreneurship news. In addition, an in-depth interview with 12 key informants was used as supplementary tool to support the quantitative findings and to find out challenges of reporting on the issue. Analysis of data was made by SPSS using descriptive, graphs, charts, and tables. The study revealed that EBC did not give necessary and adequacy attention to the coverage of entrepreneurship issue. It also showed that the amount of coverage and the degree of prominence given to the issue were very low and not strong enough.
Government officials influence the journalist’s news frame and they have better chance of getting the voice rather than entrepreneurs. Most of entrepreneurship news stories are event based and sourced by the government organizations. In general, the coverage is favors what the government is doing on entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship development rather than what the entrepreneurs are doing. Internally trends of collecting money among reporters and media as an institution to give fine coverage of news in favor of the payer and lack of understanding on the issue and externally the government influence are the major challenges of reporting on the issue.
The findings of the study imply EBC fails to create awareness, inspire and mobilize the society at large on the power and value of entrepreneurship development. Based on the findings, pertinent recommendations were forwarded.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1. Background of the Study
1.2. Statement of the Problem
1.3. Objectives of the Study
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
1.9. Operational Definitions
CHAPTRE TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1. An Overview of Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneurs
2.2. Communication for Development
2.2.1. Communication on Entrepreneurship
2.3. Media and Entrepreneurship
2.3.1. The Role of Media on Entrepreneurship Awareness
2.3.1.1. The role of entrepreneurship journalism in promoting entrepreneurship development
2.4. Media coverage of Entrepreneurship in developed countries
2.5. Media coverage of entrepreneurship in developing countries
2.6. Media coverage of Entrepreneurship in Ethiopia
2.7. National Commitment to Entrepreneurship
2.7.1. Entrepreneurial activities in Ethiopia
2.8. Theoretical Framework
2.8.1. Development communication Theory
2.8.2. Social Responsibility Theory
2.8.3. Framing Theory
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1. Research Dsign
3.2. Data Source
3.3. Data Collection instrument
3.3.1. Content analysis
3.3.1.1. Universe of content analysis
3.3.1.2. Unit of analysis
3.3.2. In-depth interview
3.4. Sampling techniques
3.4.1. Key Informants
3.4.2. Selection of media outlet
3.5. Data presentation and analysis
3.6. Issues of validity and reliability
3.7. Ethical consideration
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION
4.1. Inroduction
4.2. The extent of entrepreneurship issues coverage in EBC
4.2.1. News coverage and Level of enterprise
4.2.2. News coverage and Owner of enterprise
4.2.3. News coverage and Sector of the business
4.3. Prominence of the issue in the corporation
4.4. Tone of the total coverage of entrepreneurship issues
4.5. Source of entrepreneurship news
4.6. Themes of entrepreneurship news stories
4.6.1. Types of news framing on entrepreneurship news
4.7. Challenges of reporting on entrepreneurship issues
4.7.1. Internal challenges
4.7.2. External challenges
CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1. Summary
5.2. Conclusion
5.3. Recommendation
Research Objectives and Themes
The primary research objective is to investigate the practices and challenges surrounding the media coverage of entrepreneurship issues within the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC). The study seeks to determine whether the state media provides adequate visibility to entrepreneurship as a driver for economic development, or if the coverage is limited by political and organizational constraints.
- Extent and prominence of entrepreneurship news coverage
- Sources of information for entrepreneurship-related stories
- Framing techniques used by EBC in reporting entrepreneurship
- Internal and external challenges impacting journalistic independence
- Impact of government influence on news content and editorial decisions
Excerpt from the Book
1. Introduction
Throughout human history, entrepreneurs have seized the initiative to change the economic landscape. The olden-day hunters, gatherers, farmers, tool makers can be said to be the earliest examples of entrepreneurs (Bhole, 2007). Known in our age, the major sources of wealth and development for a human being are land, manpower, capital and entrepreneurship (Weretaw, 2005). Therefore Entrepreneurship is one of the crucial elements of economic growth for many cities and countries around the world.
Entrepreneurship is also seen as a major drive in achieving social and economic development by which, consequently, poverty alleviation will be realized. It is widely acknowledged that entrepreneurship is an important input in both individual and national development processes. Entrepreneurs create value for both themselves and the organizations that they have created or are employed in (Mudde, Dugasa, & Alemfrie, 2015).
One of Ethiopia’s exemplar Entrepreneur Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu was born and raised in Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Zenebework area, which is a small, impoverished part of the city. In her childhood days, she discovered that people of her community were living in abject squalor for there were very few jobs available. The researcher of this paper who is a journalist by career also lives in this area and gets the chance to engage in some observations on the locals.
Summary of Chapters
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION: This chapter provides the research background, defines key concepts such as entrepreneurship, and outlines the research objectives and questions aimed at evaluating EBC's media coverage.
CHAPTRE TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW: This section examines theoretical frameworks, including development communication, social responsibility, and framing theory, while reviewing previous studies on media's role in promoting entrepreneurship globally and in the Ethiopian context.
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: The chapter details the mixed-method approach, encompassing content analysis of EBC news stories and in-depth interviews with journalists, editors, and media managers.
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION: This chapter presents the quantitative findings and qualitative interview analysis, revealing that EBC's coverage is low, event-oriented, and heavily influenced by government priorities.
CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: This concluding chapter summarizes the study's findings, suggesting that EBC must enhance journalistic independence and shift its focus toward broader, inclusive coverage of entrepreneurship to effectively support national development.
Keywords
Entrepreneur, Entrepreneurship, Communication for Development, Media Coverage, EBC, Economic Development, Journalism, Ethiopia, News Framing, Small and Medium Enterprises, Socioeconomic Development, Media Policy, State Media, Unemployment, Public Awareness
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this thesis?
The research examines how the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) covers entrepreneurship issues, specifically analyzing the extent of the coverage, the sources used, and the framing applied to these topics.
What are the primary thematic areas investigated?
The study focuses on the role of media in economic development, the effectiveness of EBC in creating public awareness regarding entrepreneurship, and the challenges reporters face in maintaining editorial independence.
What is the ultimate goal or research question of this study?
The study aims to explore the practices and challenges of entrepreneurship coverage in EBC, specifically asking: To what extent does EBC cover these issues, what are the information sources, how are they framed, and what factors facilitate or constrain this coverage?
Which scientific methodology is utilized in the study?
The researcher employs a mixed-method approach, combining quantitative content analysis of news stories aired between 2016 and 2017 with qualitative in-depth interviews with media professionals.
What topics are discussed in the main body of the work?
The main body covers the conceptual definitions of entrepreneurship, literature regarding media's role in economic development, the historical landscape of Ethiopian media, and a comprehensive analysis of the collected news data and interview responses.
Which keywords best describe this research?
Key terms include Entrepreneurship, Media Coverage, EBC, Development Communication, News Framing, and Ethiopia.
How does government influence impact EBC's editorial policy?
The findings suggest that government officials significantly influence news content, often directing coverage to highlight state-led initiatives rather than individual efforts, which limits professional independence.
What is the significance of the "brown envelop" culture mentioned?
This refers to a practice of "tipping" journalists for coverage, which the study identifies as a challenge that fosters self-censorship and compromises the credibility of media output.
Why are small and medium enterprises (SMEs) struggling for coverage?
The study finds that EBC tends to prioritize large, government-supported enterprises or high-profile success stories, leaving a significant gap in the coverage of micro, small, and medium-sized entrepreneurs who could benefit most from media exposure.
Does EBC possess a research department to assess audience needs?
No, the study concludes that EBC lacks a research department, resulting in spontaneous and event-driven news coverage rather than audience-focused, strategic reporting.
- Quote paper
- Bilal Worku (Author), 2017, The practice and challenges of media coverage of entrepreneurship issues in Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC), Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/374510
