The Development of Ethiopian Media, 1991-2021

Abstract

The primary intent of this study is to examine media development in Ethiopia the post 1991. The study constituted qualitative data such as document analysis, an in-depth interview, and the researcher's critical study review. The main finding of the research has shown that in the last 30 years of Ethiopian mass media development, different types of mass media have started to appear and the sector, despite the multiple ups and downs. . Despite the very positive constitutional provisions, capacity limitation restricted laws are still highly monopolized and polarised, particularly among the public, community (state), private, and diaspora media. Emergent domestic media outlets use their ethnicity, religion, group, tribe, and political afflation to activate the polarised discourse by marginalizing others and their extreme views that often lack journalistic ethical standards. In addition, new channels balance and challenge the overpowering role of government and Diaspora-funded media. The research findings reveal that the Ethiopian government has exerted direct and indirect influence over the broadcast media through co-opting the political
economy of the state, most of which were employing political-oriented regulatory bodies and regulations on the mainland.