Mulatu Alemayehu Moges

• Taglo, B. A. & Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2026). Reciprocal Journalism in the Mediated Public Sphere: Examining Op-Ed Debate in Ethiopian Media. African Journalism Studies. ISSN 2374-3670. doi: 10.1080/23743670.2026.2682794. Full text in Research Archive
• Ayalew, Yohannes Eneyew & Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2026). The Ethiopian media law reform: a textual reform without change in journalistic practice? Journal of Media Law. ISSN 1757-7632. p. 1–26. doi: 10.1080/17577632.2026.2670838. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Ethiopia undertook a landmark reform of its media law in 2021. This law was also amended in 2025. However, these legal reforms and their contributions to comparative media law, as well as journalistic practice, have received little scholarly attention. This article thus scrutinises the intent behind the revisions and then examines the changes introduced in the 2021 media law and the 2025 amendment, along with their implications for journalism practice. The article argues that while the 2021 media law is a significant (textual) reform, it is less likely to have an immediate impact on journalism practice in Ethiopia due to the country’s sociopolitical realities, including the ethnification of the media, limited editorial independence, weak parliamentary oversight and the absence of self-regulation. Finally, the 2025 amendment may claw back the promised reforms of 2021 providing the government with yet another legal pretext to tighten its grip on media freedom and journalism practice.

• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2026). Community Radio in Ethiopia: A Discourse of Peace and Conflict Reporting. In Jan, Servaes (Eds.), Handbook of Communication for Development and Social Change. Springer Nature. ISSN 9789811520136. p. 1–11. doi: 10.1007/978-981-10-7035-8_37-2. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  In states like Ethiopia, where internal conflicts, mainly ethnic conflicts, have currently been appearing in many parts, a medium that deals with those issues appropriately is vital. Among the three main media branches—public service, commercial, and community radio—the latter can be described as an appropriate medium that can, perhaps, bring not only possible timely solutions to the cases but also some social changes in society. This is because the nature of community radio, which is close to society and addresses issues promptly, can serve the people well by raising directly relevant matters in relation to conflict and peace. This chapter aims to demonstrate, through selected cases from Ethiopia, how community radio serves as the most effective platform for addressing internal conflicts and social issues in marginalized societies, which are particularly vulnerable to various social and political challenges.

• Chekol, Muluken Asegidew; Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu & Orgeret, Kristin Skare (2026). Ethnic Identity and the Repression of Journalists Covering Conflict: The Case of Ethiopia (2020–2024). Journalism Practice. ISSN 1751-2786. p. 1–20. doi: 10.1080/17512786.2026.2674681. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Journalists’ safety and security are real concerns for many countries, specifically in developing countries, where political instability and internal conflicts have been pervasive. This article explores how journalists’ identities could be the cause of their repression in a conflict-prone country such as Ethiopia. The article used qualitative and quantitative approaches to collect data from 2020 to 2024, during which ethnically driven internal conflicts have been prevalent in the country. Questionnaires were distributed to 180 journalists working in private, public, and digital media, and interviews were carried out with 20 senior media practitioners. The results indicated that journalists in Ethiopia are facing severe harassment and intimidation coming from not only the government but also non-state actors. The results also indicated that journalists confirmed that reporting/framing the current internal conflict as ethnic conflicts, as well as their ethnic identities, are the main causes of their repression, which could have repercussions on the journalism profession and on ensuring freedom of expression.

• Dessie, Behaliu Atenafu; Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu; Abebe, Marew Salmot & Gessess, Kibrom Berhane (2026). Global media framing of conflicts in Ethiopia: a content analysis of war narratives and hegemonic interests. Frontiers in Political Science. 8. doi: 10.3389/fpos.2026.1731435. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This article critically examines how international media outlets, such as the BBC, CNN, Al Jazeera, and CGTN, have covered conflict stories in Ethiopia from 2020 to 2025, a period widespread of conflicts across many parts of the country. The article used a descriptive quantitative approach. All stories during the sample period were first collected from these four media outlets. Then the article used systematic random sampling and purposive sampling to select stories, yielding a representative sample from each outlet. The data was coded using a content analysis tool and presented quantitatively. The data were also discussed by using framing theory. The results indicate that international media tend to demonstrate significant selective exposure, disproportionately focusing on the Tigray conflict while marginalizing concurrent conflicts in the Amhara and Oromia regions. The framing predominantly attributes responsibility to the Ethiopian government and utilizes episodic narratives that decontextualize the conflicts. This coverage suggests patterns reflective of geographical interests and a limited understanding of the complex historical and political drivers of instability and humanitarian crises in Ethiopia. This suggests that international media pay insufficient attention to conflicts across the country and lack a deep understanding of the underlying causes of the country’s politics and conflicts.

• Dessie, Behailu Atinafu; Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu & Ali, Adem Chanie (2026). Media under the siege of ethnocentric narratives: News framing in the post-2018 Ethiopia’s political transition. Journal of Applied Journalism and Media Studies. ISSN 2001-0818. p. 1–19. doi: 10.1386/ajms_00200_1. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The study aimed to investigate emerging trends in the Ethiopian media system right after the new political reform of 2018 by focusing on six purposively selected regional states and commercially labelled private media outlets: Amhara Media Corporation (AMC), Tigray Mass Media Agency (TMMA), Oromia Broadcasting Network (OBN), Amhara Satellite Radio and Television (ASRAT), Oromia Media Network (OMN) and Dimtsi Weyane Tigray (DWTV). The study sought to assess how journalism has been practised in these selected Ethiopian media in reporting on some major sociopolitical issues in the country. A total of 89 news stories were collected from the selected television outlets and subjected to qualitative framing analysis guided by social identity and framing theories. Subsequently, in-depth interviews with experts were conducted to provide further meaning and context to the findings. The results indicated that the ethnocentric frame was the most prevalent one, serving as a point of reference for setting agendas, selecting stories, identifying sources and determining angles. Exclusive victimization, self-glorification, in-group favouritism and debunking claims were ingrained in their reports aimed at protecting their ethnic groups’ interests.

• Belew, Anley Taglo & Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2025). Democracy in action: Political reform, public sphere and mediated deliberation. SEARCH Journal of Media and Communication Research. ISSN 2229-872X. 17(3), p. 42–49. doi: 10.5897/jmcs2023.0800. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Newspapers demonstrate their commitment to democracy by providing op-ed columns to facilitate public engagement. This study examines the potential of newspaper op-ed columns to function as a public sphere, a concept deeply rooted in the work of Jürgen Habermas. Drawing upon Habermas's theory of the public sphere and relevant scholarly literature, the study examines media democracy in op-ed columns of Ethiopian newspapers to assess the presence of Habermasian principles for democratic discussions. The findings of this study suggest that while op-ed columns provide a platform for public discourse, they fall short of fully realizing Habermasian ideals for democratic debate.

• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2025). Redefining Community Broadcasting in Ethiopia: Towards Public Ownership and Engagement. Journal of Asian and African Studies. ISSN 0021-9096. doi: 10.1177/00219096251389859. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This article scrutinises the nature of community broadcasting, in terms of ownership and public participation, in Ethiopia, using qualitative and quantitative data. While the qualitative data were collected through interviews, focus group discussions with media managers and journalists in nine community radio stations, and document analysis; the quantitative data were collected through questionnaires from 33 community broadcasting stations. Findings indicate that, despite the efforts of community broadcasting to expand in number and engage diverse audiences in various languages, a significant lack of public involvement in production, financing and running was observed. Also, ownership issues of the community broadcasting blur the lines between it and local/public FM stations and campus radio. Upon an examination of the licencing process, ownership, legal framework, geographical diversity, public participation and the practices of community broadcasting, the author advocates for either redefining community media in the context and practice of Ethiopia or reappropriating it in line with the ideal definition of community radio features. The author also suggests a community-centric model of community broadcasting in Ethiopia to ensure its ideal status and serve the larger public.

• Mutsvairo, Bruce; Orgeret, Kristin Skare; Bruijn, Mirjam de; Bruls, Luca; Schroeder, Daniel Thilo & Cissé, Modibo Galy [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2025). The Messenger (not the Medium) Is the Message? Uncovering Journalists’ Perceptions of Digital Disinformation in Conflict Countries. Journalism Studies. ISSN 1461-670X. 27(2), p. 228–248. doi: 10.1080/1461670x.2025.2575499. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  While research on disinformation in Africa is starting to gain attention, only a few of these studies have sought to uncover its connection to conflict contexts, an important area we seek to draw attention to with this study. Furthermore, barely any studies have uncovered journalists and other media workers’ perceptions of disinformation, particularly in countries dominated by conflict. This article uses participatory action research, specifically focus-group interviews with over 30 Malian and Ethiopian journalists to uncover rarely discussed perceptions and contestations emerging from authoritarian contexts dominated by both disinformation and conflict. Our aim is to make a significant contribution in the field of journalism studies by studying the rapid rise of disinformation within a context marked by both authoritarianism and conflict. We believe our findings, which reveal previously unknown evidential pointers to journalists, journalism educators and other news media workers’ perspectives on disinformation in a non-democratic contexts potentially have wider applicability given disinformation is a problem that even democratic countries are also currently grappling with. Our findings show that there are varying actors in the disinformation landscape. Also, conflicting notions on disinformation exist while there is a noticeable lack of established truth-telling institutions. Besides, ethnicity influences people's perceptions of truth.

• Gessesse, Kibrom Berhane & Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2025). Social media discourses amidst ethnopolitical extremism and conflict: The case of Ethiopia. Discourse Studies. ISSN 1461-4456. doi: 10.1177/14614456251374251. Full text in Research Archive
• Taglo, Belew Anley & Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2025). Examining op-ed columns in the Ethiopian media: A study of the public sphere. Journalism - Theory, Practice & Criticism. ISSN 1464-8849. doi: 10.1177/14648849251323676. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This study investigates the state of the public sphere in the Ethiopian media during the country’s 2018 political reform. It reports on an innovative print format that has proved to be a public sphere. Drawing on methodological insight from quantitative content analysis, the study examines the democratic potential of op-ed columns in the light of public sphere theory. Contrary to the original purpose of op-ed column, our findings indicate that Ethiopian op-ed columns fall short to fit to the principles of public sphere, such as a narrow range of viewpoints, a limited authorship diversity, and an absence of independent op-ed columns. The study further reveals that ownership structure and media’s orientation to the public sphere are factors that shape the features of op-ed columns in Ethiopian media. Qualitative analysis reveals contested framing of the 2018 Ethiopian political reform across the selected media outlets, with op-ed coverage presenting varying facts and evaluations. This contestant is evident in the use of individual- versus societal-level responsibility frames and pro- versus anti-reform binary frames.

• Bruijn, Mirjam de; Mutsvairo, Bruce; Bruls, Luca; Cisse, Modibo Galy; Langguth, Johannes & Orgeret, Kristin [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2025). “Aren’t we all journalists?” Citizen journalism, disinformation and the weaponization of social media in conflict torn Mali. Journalism - Theory, Practice & Criticism. ISSN 1464-8849. 26(5), p. 1027–1046. doi: 10.1177/14648849241312743. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The study combines domain expertise and computational community detection to uncover what role citizen journalists and social media platforms play in mediating the dynamics of conflict in Mali. Under conditions of the growing conflict in Mali, citizen journalists are opening Twitter (rebranded as X) accounts to stay updated and tweet about the ongoing socio-political tensions, chronicling life in a conflict-ravaged context. This article conceptualizes the rapid reliance on Twitter among citizen journalists consisting of bloggers, activists, government officials and NGO’s as a form of networked conflict and networked journalism. Networked journalism emerges as professional journalists adopt tools and techniques used by nonprofessionals (and vice versa) to gather and disseminate information while networked conflict involves the consequential and intricate relationship between social media and conflict in the Sahel region of Africa. Our findings show that Twitter is a source of action that promotes and mediates conflict, which exposes users to conflict-related content. The findings also show that what accounts for citizen journalism in a conflict setting is vague as those with access to Twitter and as such, the presumed ability to influence the narrative, unequivocally consider themselves citizen journalists.

• Orgeret, Kristin; Mutsvairo, Bruce; Bruijn, Mirjam de; Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu; Badji, Samba Dialimpa & Schroeder, Daniel Thilo (2025). Hashtags, Hatetags and social media campaigns in Ethiopia's Tigray conflict. Information, Communication & Society. ISSN 1369-118X. p. 1–19. doi: 10.1080/1369118X.2025.2533314. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This article examines the role of social media, specifically Twitter, in the amplification of violent divisive discourse during Ethiopia's Tigray conflict (2020–2022), introducing the concept of Hatetags to analyze the transforming of hashtags into vehicles of digital conflict. Through a mixed-method approach combining explorative digital methods, qualitative content analysis and qualitative interviews, the study investigates how hashtags evolved into emotionally charged communicative tools that mobilized polarized publics, reinforced ethnic boundaries, and contributed to conflict escalation. Situating Hatetags within broader frameworks of contemporary conflict studies, the article highlights how digital infrastructures do not merely reflect but actively shape conflict dynamics. It demonstrates how platform algorithms and state-diaspora interactions fuelled the normalization of hate speech and dehumanizing rhetoric. Case studies of hashtags like #junta and #cockroach reveal how repeated use and the interaction with visual memes reinforced hostility and legitimated violence. The study argues for a reconceptualization of digital platforms as active agents in conflict communication, underscoring the need for context-sensitive moderation in fragile media ecosystems. The concept of Hatetags offers a critical lens for understanding the evolving nexus between digital media and political violence.

• Wassie, Dessalegn Yeshambel; Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu & Nigatu, Biset Ayalew (2024). The vexed question of Ethiopian identity-driven politics and the discourse of political communication in the digital media sphere. Cogent Arts & Humanities. doi: 10.1080/23311983.2024.2308727. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This study aims to examine the interplay between political communication and discursive practices in the emerging new media landscape after the recent political reform in ethiopia. the study employs interpretative textual analysis in qualitative research approach to analyze political communication texts posted by political party leaders and activists’ official pages through Critical discourse analysis. By using this method, the study critically examines the recent political developments with a specific focus on: ePrdF fragmentation, disintegration of tPlF from the central government, de-facto state formation, the integration of PP into political scene, inter-party political dialogues, and election scenarios among purposely selected ethno-nationalist and unionist political party leaders and activists’ official pages. the finding of the study reveals that political actors used social media as a political communication backchannel and a counter-hegemonic space to construct their political identities and ideologies. the result further shows ethnic identity has overwhelmingly become the source of power over pan-ethiopian nationalism identity. the politics of ethnic belongingness is found to be an emerging political communication discourse in the study. ethnic divisions and polarized political views have been recurrently propounded among political actor’s posts in their digital media. accordingly, accommodative discursive strategies appear to be the dominant discursive strategies utilized by unionist political actors, while ethno-nationalists employ divisive rhetorical strategies in their political communication. in this continuum, polarized political views along with ethnic-based political formations put the issue of identity in a vexed condition and the existing ethiopian politics in a state of interregnum.

• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2024). Freedom of the Press, and Journalism Practices in Times of Uncertainty in the Case of Ethiopia. Journalism Practice. ISSN 1751-2786. doi: 10.1080/17512786.2024.2410932. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Ethiopia has been in a new transition since 2018 which resulted in changes in political arenas. In this period, the country has also been experiencing internal conflict and political instabilities. This article assesses how the political environment is convenient for the journalists to freely report stories, and how journalists practice their professional roles which have not yet studied. The article used both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The qualitative data was collected through in-depth interviews with key media practitioners. The quantitative data was collected through a self- administered questionnaire from selected 164 journalists from the public, and private media in the country. The result shows journalists’ freedom and practicing their profession in reporting stories from different views in the current unstable situation in the country are highly challenged. Among the respondents, more than 65% confirmed that they are not free to report stories; 95% of the sampled journalists either self-censor or ignore stories about conflicts and other critical issues in the country. The journalists are highly pressurized by the government and other actors who have ardent interest in controlling media to propagate their agenda and in silencing the critical voices. This put journalists to stack between a rock and a hard.

• Kebede, Abera Yenework; Ali, Adem Chanie & Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2024). Contemporary Contested Ethiopian Media Practice and Its Influence on Journalists’ Autonomy and Role. Journalism Practice. ISSN 1751-2786. p. 1–27. doi: 10.1080/17512786.2024.2317811. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This study explores contemporary journalists’ autonomy and role in the Ethiopian contested media practice by taking journalists working in Amhara Media Corporation (AMC). A qualitative research approach was used to collect data from journalists and admin staff. For triangulation, this study combined document analysis and observation. Fourteen in-depth interviews were conducted with purposively selected journalists and admin staff. The interviews used semi-structured and open-ended questions that would allow journalists to reflect their perspectives freely. The study applied the Hierarchy of Influences Model to examine the data and support discussion. The findings of this study clearly signify that partisanship among journalists, the politicization of journalism, and flip-flop media practices prevail. The outsourced programs are used as a tool for silencing journalists from working independently. The journalists’ safety anxiety is the grim reality at AMC. As a result, journalists’ professional content productions and autonomies specifically on political and sensitive issues were negotiated or interfered. It is therefore challenging to maintain complete professional autonomy in order to be impartial, unbiased, and independent while working as a journalist in Ethiopia. It is recommended that the regional and federal governments should allow media independence and journalists’ autonomy in the Ethiopian media industry.

• Schroeder, Daniel Thilo; Bruijn, Mirjam de; Bruls, Luca; Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu; Badji, Samba Dialimpa & Fritz, Noémie [Show all 10 contributors for this article] (2023). Social media in the Global South: A Network Dataset of the Malian Twittersphere. Journal of Data Mining and Digital Humanities. ISSN 2416-5999. doi: 10.46298/jdmdh.11246. Full text in Research Archive
• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu; Dessie, Behailu Atinafu & Ali, Adem Chanie (2023). Towards ethno-political advocacy: Ethiopian journalists’ professional role perceptions in post- EPRDF interregnum. Cogent Arts & Humanities. 10(1), p. 1–14. doi: 10.1080/23311983.2023.2168843. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The study aims at investigating the interplay between the ethnic identity politics and journalists’ role perceptions in contemporary Ethiopian media landscape. Professional roles are a key topic in journalism research along with the fundamental elements in defining journalism as a profession because they suggest and provide insights about the environment surrounding the journalists. Based on the analytical model of journalism culture and social identity theory (SIT), the article draws on qualitative interviews of journalists from the perspective of six media channels along with media and communication scholars to argue that the country’s ethno-political context shapes the media environment, which in turn influences how journalists perceive their roles. Accordingly, promoting ethno-centric identity and culture, becoming guardians and advocates for ethnic communities, mainstreaming the regional politics and hegemony, and considering themselves as struggle activators and change agents were found to be the most remarkable institutional role perceptions of journalism in the current Ethiopian media system.

• Schroeder,, Daniel Thilo; Bruijn, Mirjam de; Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu; Bruls, Luca; Badji, Samba Dialimpa & Langguth, Johannes [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2023). Social Media in the Global South: A Network Dataset of the Malian Twittersphere. Journal of Data Mining and Digital Humanities. ISSN 2416-5999. Full text in Research Archive
• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu; Kebede, Abera Yenework & Ali, Adem Chanie (2022). Examining journalists organizational trust pursuant to predictive variables in the Ethiopian media industry: The case study of Amhara Media Corporation. Cogent Social Sciences. Full text in Research Archive
• Dessie, Behailu Atenafu; Ali, Adem Chanie & Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2022). Ethnic Orientation over Ethical Underpinnings: EmergingTrends of the Ethiopian Media Landscape. Journalism Practice. ISSN 1751-2786. 17(9), p. 1919–1936. doi: 10.1080/17512786.2021.2024083. Full text in Research Archive
• Chekol, Muluken Asegidew; Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu & Ali, Adem Chanie (2021). Social media hate speech in the walk of Ethiopian politicalreform: analysis of hate speech prevalence, severity, andnatures. Information, Communication & Society. ISSN 1369-118X. 26(1), p. 218–237. doi: 10.1080/1369118X.2021.1942955. Full text in Research Archive
• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2021). Ethiopian Media: Journalists Trends of Using Sources in Reporting Stories. Athens Journal of Mass Media and Communications. ISSN 2407-9499. Full text in Research Archive
• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2017). Ethiopian journalism from self-censoring to silence: A case of reporting on internal conflict [Le journalisme éthiopien de l'autocensure au silence: Un reportage sur un cas des conflicts internes]. ESSACHESS – Journal for Communication Studies. ISSN 2066-5083. 10(1), p. 111–128. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This article examines the extent to which journalists of The Daily Monitor and The Ethiopian Herald report on internal conflict, especially ethnic conflicts, which were prevalent during the study period, from 2005 to 2013, in Ethiopia. These two English medium dailies newspapers were purposely selected due to their high circulation and longevity in the media market as well as their focus on current affairs. The study employed both content analysis and interviews data collection and process in tools. The result shows that only a small number of internal conflict stories were reported in the selected newspapers and journalists were found to prefer refraining from reporting ethnic conflicts. This is attributable to the fact that journalists live in the circle of fear and self-censorship resulting in the exclusion of ethnicrelated conflict stories in the selected media.

• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2016). Exploring Media Interventions in Peace Building and their Challenges. Online Journal of Art and Design. ISSN 2301-2501. Full text in Research Archive
• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2013). A Study on How Disaster Issues Reported On the Ethiopian Print Media. Online Journal of Communication and Media Technologies. Full text in Research Archive

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• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2009). Media and Development: Exploratory Study on the Coverage of Development News on Ethiopian Radio. VDM Verlag Dr. Müller Aktiengesellschaft & Co. KG. ISBN 9783639217896. 96 p. doi: https:/www.amazon.com/Media-Development-Exploratory-Coverage-Ethiopian/dp/3639217896. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Media, as an agenda setter, would have a significant contribution to initiating the masses' participation in the development and democratisation process. The existence of media both in quality and quantity would contribute to the social and economic well-being of the people in a given country. In Ethiopia, though the number of media outlets is relatively small, they seem to pay scant attention to issues vital for development. Of course, their editorial policies, particularly those of the Ethiopian Radio and Television Agency, have underscored that paying attention to policies and strategies for rural and agricultural activities is central to bringing about development in the country. This book, therefore, provides an overview on the coverage of development issues based on Ethiopian Radio, a pioneer radio station in Ethiopia and in Africa. It also includes a wide range of information on the radio's role in addressing development issues and the extent to which Ethiopian Radio sets development agendas. This comprehensive yet concise information on major aspects of media and development will provide valuable input for students, researchers, media practitioners, and policymakers.

• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2009). Media and Development: Exploratory Study on the Coverage of Development News on Ethiopian Radio. VDM Verlag Dr. Müller Aktiengesellschaft & Co. KG. ISBN 9783639217896. 96 p. Full text in Research Archive

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• Orgeret, Kristin; Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu & Badji, Samba Dialimpa (2024). Navigating Digital Authoritarianism: Responses in African Contexts. Full text in Research Archive
• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2024). A Deliberate Spin: Problematizing the online hate speech in conflict-prone countries, in the case of Ethiopia. Full text in Research Archive
• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2024). Media and Religion in Ethiopia: Result briefing. Full text in Research Archive
• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2024). Safety and challenges of journalism in the conflict prone countries, in the case of Ethiopia. Full text in Research Archive
• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2024). Journalism, Advocacy and freedom of expression in Africa: trends of freedom of the press, information, and expression on the African continent. Full text in Research Archive
• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu & Skjerdal, Terje (2024). Research Result briefing and discussion on a study on Media and religion in Ethiopia. Full text in Research Archive
• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2023). Teaching journalism in conflict and postconflict in the case of Ethiopia. Full text in Research Archive
• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2023). Freedom of expression and the press in times of uncertainty, Ethiopia a case in point. Full text in Research Archive
• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2023). Trend Analysis of Media Development in Ethiopia for the last five years. Full text in Research Archive
• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2023). Brief on Media Landscape in Ethiopia, Post 2018. Full text in Research Archive
• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2023). THE QUESTION OF ETHNICITY AND THE JOURNALISM EDUCATION CHALLENGE IN ETHIOPIA. Full text in Research Archive
• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2023). A validation workshop on the study media and region in Ethiopia. Full text in Research Archive
• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2023). Experience from other countries on media in democratic transition: Lesson Learnt. Full text in Research Archive
• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2022). Trends, Prospects and Challenges of Journalism Association in Ethiopia and ways to establish a coalition. Full text in Research Archive
• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2022). Media polarization in Ethiopia: nature, trends and implications. Full text in Research Archive
• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2022). Media polarization in Ethiopia, taking Ethnicity as a case. Full text in Research Archive
• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2022). Safety of Ethiopian Journalists in the current political discourse. Full text in Research Archive
• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2022). Journalism in a time of Conflicts and Post-conflict in Ethiopia – Presented at a National Media Conference - Promoting Journalism and Democracy in Practice. Full text in Research Archive
• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2022). Media for Peace Building and National Consensus. Full text in Research Archive
• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu & Walulya, Gerald (2022). The Sustainability and Economic Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Media Houses in Uganda and Ethiopia. In Azungi, Dralega Carol & Napakol, Angella (Ed.), Health Crises and Media Discourses in Sub-Saharan Africa. Springer. ISSN 9783030950996. p. 3–18. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-95100-9. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented economic challenges globally across various sectors, including the media. The economic effects of the pandemic, particularly, have hit the advertising sector, which is the lifeblood of media houses. Despite the raging economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on the media, few studies have yet been conducted in the East African region, particularly in Uganda and Ethiopia, to assess how media organizations have been affected and what measures they have put in place to mitigate these challenges. This chapter investigates and discusses the key economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the operation of media houses and the mechanisms they have put in place to counter these economic challenges. The study used a qualitative approach. The two researchers carried out interviews with CEOs and managers of 12 leading media houses in Uganda and Ethiopia. The data collected through interviews were transcribed and presented thematically. Findings from this study indicate that the media in the two countries have faced serious economic challenges including loss of advertisement and decline in newspaper sales, leading to salary cuts, loss of jobs, and closure of some media houses.

• Skjerdal, Terje & Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2022). The ethnification of the Ethiopian media. Full text in Research Archive
• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu & Waluya, Gerald (2022). The Sustainability and Economic Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Media Houses in Uganda and Ethiopia. In Dralega, Carol Azungi & Napakol, Angella (Ed.), Health Crises and Media Discourses in Sub-Saharan Africa. Springer Nature. ISSN 9783030950996. p. 3–18. Full text in Research Archive
• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2022). Ensuring Participation of Actors for Transparency and Accountability of Institutions to Support the Fight against Corruption and Promote Democratic Governance and Rule of Law in Ethiopia: Dialogue Platform with Media House Owners, General Managers and Key Media Personnel. Full text in Research Archive
• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2022). Media in Advancing Human Rights in Ethiopia: opportunities and challenges. Full text in Research Archive
• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2022). Election in the digital area, in the case of the 6th Ethiopia National Election. Full text in Research Archive
• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu & Skjerdal, Terje (2021). Ethnification and regionalization of the Ethiopian media. Full text in Research Archive
• Skjerdal, Terje & Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2021). Ethnification and regionalization of the Ethiopian media. Full text in Research Archive
• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2021). The Ethnification of the Ethiopian Media. Full text in Research Archive
• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2021). The ethnification of the Ethiopian media. Full text in Research Archive
• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2021). Online Harassment: The Other Face of Pressure on The Media and Journalists’ Safety and Security in Ethiopia. Full text in Research Archive
• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2021). Media in Ethiopia - An experience sharing of media in East Africa. Full text in Research Archive
• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2021). Press freedom: importance, trends, contribution to democratic societies in Ethiopia. Full text in Research Archive
• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2020). Community Radio in Ethiopia: A Discourse of Peace and Conflict Reporting. In Jan, Servaes (Eds.), Handbook of Communication for Development and Social Change. Springer Nature. ISSN 9789811520136. p. 1231–1242. Full text in Research Archive
• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2018). Absence of Presence: Internal conflict reporting in Ethiopia newspapers. In Saleh, Ibrahim & Knieper, Thomas (Ed.), The Visual Politics of War Volume Two: Truth and Lies of Soft Power. Cambridge Scholar Publishing . ISSN 9781527505445. p. 207–223. Full text in Research Archive
• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu & Skjerdal, Terje (2024). Media and Religion in Ethiopia. Linnaeus University Press. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Religion has become an issue in the Ethiopian media. This is a new situation in a country which for many years excluded religious expressions from the public media. With the arrival of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the Prosperity Party in 2018, the principle of the secular state enshrined in the Ethiopian Constitution has been fundamentally challenged. Religion is being brought into official speeches and reflected in the media. Presenters on state television are seen wearing Orthodox crosses and Muslim hijabs, which was unheard of just five years ago. The new media proclamation, which came into effect in 2021, allows religious organisations to apply for broadcasting licences for the first time in the nation’s history. By 2023, between 40 and 50 religious organizations have acquired such a licence. At the same time, religion has also surfaced as a conflict issue in the media. Quarrel within the Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council in 2021, the dispute over the ownership and use of Meskel Square in Addis Ababa in 2020–22, and an attempt at schism within the Orthodox church in 2023 are three hot issues that epitomise religious conflict as a topic in the current news scene. The purpose of this study is to assess the ongoing changes in media and religion in Ethiopia. The researchers have interviewed 20 representatives from the media, the religious community and the regulator. The study also includes an in-depth analysis of 98 stories on religion that made headlines in 10 different media outlets between 2020 and 2023. The study found that the newfound openness for religion in the Ethiopian media is deficient. The ‘broadcasting licences’ for religious organisations do not permit local radio stations or transmission through terrestrial television, but are a registration system to map organisations that use the Internet and satellite to distribute religious programmes to Ethiopian audiences. The authorities continue to be suspicious of religious broadcasting and fear that extreme actors will destabilise the social order if they get access to the airwaves. The state media – officially called public media – neglect and downplay religious conflict issues in their coverage. However, with the many private media outlets and social media outlets on the scene, it has become harder for state media to control the narrative around religious issues altogether. The content analysis shows that polarisation is still a major problem in the reporting of religion in the Ethiopian media. Stories are often biased towards the journalist’s political and ethnic stance. Claiming that they are ’secular’, the state media (’public media’) tend to ignore important religious issues and conflicts which have resulted in loss of lives, burning of religious buildings, and displacement of people. The media appear to be ambivalent between applying a peculiar interpretation of ’secular’ principles by ignoring religion, or deciding to report such issues. The report stresses the importance of sensitising reporters about religious issues and making the media more ethically responsible when reporting religion.

• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu & Skjerdal, Terje (2024). Media and religion in Ethiopia. Fojo Media Institute . Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Religion has become an issue in the Ethiopian media. This is a new situation in a country which for many years excluded religious expressions from the public media. With the coming of prime minister Abiy Ahmed and the Prosperity Party in 2018, the principle of the secular state, which is in the Ethiopian Constitution, has been challenged fundamentally. Religion is being brought into official speeches and reflected in the media. Presenters on state television are seen wearing Orthodox crosses and Muslim hijabs, which was unheard of just five years ago. The new media proclamation which came in 2021 allows religious organizations to apply for broadcasting licences for the first time in the nation’s history. By 2023, between 40 and 50 religious organizations have acquired such a licence. At the same time, religion has also surfaced as a conflict issue in the media. Quarrel within the Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council in 2021, dispute around the ownership and use of Meskel Square in Addis Ababa in 2020–22, and an attempt of schism within the Orthodox church in 2023 are three hot issues which epitomize religious conflict as a topic in the current news scene. The purpose of this study is to assess the ongoing changes in media and religion in Ethiopia. The researchers have interviewed 20 representatives from the media, the religious community and the regulator. The study also contains an indepth analysis of 98 stories on religion which made headlines in ten different media outlets between 2020 and 2023. The study found that the newfound openness for religion in the Ethiopian media is deficient. The ‘broadcasting licences’ for religious organizations do not permit local radio stations or transmission through terrestrial television but are a registration system to map organizations which use the Internet and satellite to distribute religious programmes to Ethiopian audiences. The authorities continue to be suspicious of religious broadcasting and fear that extreme actors will destabilize the social order if they get access to the airwaves. The state media – officially called public media – neglect and downplay religious conflict issues in their coverage. However, with the many private media outlets as well as the social media on the scene, it has become harder for the state media to control the narrative around religious issues altogether. The content analysis shows that polarization is still a major problem in the reporting of religion in the Ethiopian media. Stories are often biased towards the journalist’s political and ethnic stance. Claiming that they are ’secular’, the state media (’public media’) tend to ignore important religious issues and conflicts which have resulted in loss of lives, burning of religious buildings, and displacement of people. The media appear to be ambivalent between applying a peculiar interpretation of ’secular’ principles by ignoring religion, or deciding to report such issues. The report stresses the importance of sensitizing reporters about religious issues and making the media more ethically responsible when reporting religion.

• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2022). Assessment of Media Development in Ethiopia, Based on UNESCO’s Media Development Indicators. UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning. ISSN 9789231005701. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Freedom of expression, the free flow of information, diverse views, and independent media ensure healthy democracy and sustainable development. In the face of current challenges to information quality and freedom of expression, a vibrant media system helps ensure that diverse, accurate, and timely information is available and accessible. This study on the development of the Ethiopian media, using UNESCO indicators, provides an overview of the state of the media in the country. It unpacks how media regulations, associations, networks, training institutes, ownership structure, technologies, and other factors have impacted on press freedom, diversity and plurality of the media. The study indicates that in its current condition, the Ethiopian media – both offline and online - needs strong support and collaboration among the state, local and international organizations, journalism associations, educational institutes, and other players. With a population of more than 110 million people and great diversity in languages, politics, culture, societal values, and other aspects, the availability of diverse media and plural views in Ethiopia is vital for peaceful coexistence, democracy, and development.

• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu; Mekonnen, Dagim Afework; Dinku, Getachew; Haileselasie, Asmeret; Ahmed, Hikma & Feye, Martha (2022). Assessment of Media Development in Ethiopia; Based on UNESCO’s Media Development Indicators. the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization 7, place de Fontenoy, 75352 Paris 07 SP, France. Full text in Research Archive
• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2022). Post 2018 Media landscape review in Ethiopia. Center for Advancment of Democratic Rights . Full text in Research Archive
• Skjerdal, Terje & Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2021). The Ethnification of the Ethiopian Media. International Media Support and Fojo Media Institute and Addis Ababa University . doi: https:/www.mediasupport.org/publication/the-ethnification-of-ethiopian-media/. Full text in Research Archive
• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2021). Media ethics: How digital disruption reshaped ethics and professionalism. THE WINDHOEK DECLARATION. Full text in Research Archive
• Skjerdal, Terje & Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2020). The ethnification of the Ethiopian media. International Media Support. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Th is report looks into the issue of media and ethnicity in contemporary Ethiopia. As anyone can witness, there have been immense changes in the local media situation since Dr. Abiy Ahmed assumed leadership in April 2018. In just two years, the country has improved its ranking on Reporter Without Borders’ Press Freedom Index by 51 places, which is the greatest leap of any country anytime – by far. There is a lot to celebrate. At the same time, the press situation in the country is deeply disconcerting. The reason for this is that the media landscape is as polarized as never before, and that parts of the media are being blamed for playing a pivotal role in the turbulence which have erupted in various parts of the country since 2019. The suspicion of many people is that the media are being exploited to propagate an ethnic agenda. Towards this backdrop, the intention of the study is to examine the role of the media in ethnic tensions in contemporary Ethiopia. The methodology is twofold, combining in-depth interviews with framing analysis. For the interview part, we have met approximately 25 persons with key positions in all major parts of the media in the country. For the framing analysis, we have scrutinized the media coverage of eight crucial incidents between 2018 and 2020 in ten diff erent media outlets. We argue that the tendencies we’re observing in the media can be described as an intensified ethnification process. By this we mean that ethnic belonging and identity politics are gaining signifi cance as central frames of reference in the current Ethiopian media discourse. Ethnicity is being employed as a key to interpret media messages, and it outlines a frame for classifying media channels and personalities. We identify two major frames, annihilation and othering, which are indicative of the tendency of journalists to align with their ethnic background. We also fi nd that many media practitioners are deeply concerned about the developments. Research data point towards a more pluralistic media society in Ethiopia (albeit segmented pluralism), but also signifi cantly more polarization. Th e polarization is fuelled by ethno-nationalistic media of different origin and ownership, vis-à-vis pan-Ethiopianist channels. Th e previous stronghold of the federal state media (EPRDF-supportive) has been overtaken by a fragmented state media structure with growing significance of regional mass media agencies. Journalists are beginning to form alliances along regional and ethnic fault lines, as illustrated by the launch of Amhara Journalists Association, Oromia Journalists Association, Tigray Journalists Association, and so forth. Journalists are highly inclined to use sources which support their own ideological interest, and avoid quoting sources from other ethnicities which could balance the story. When it comes to professional ideals, various channels practice a hybrid reporting style which blends acknowledged standards with an interventionist or activist agenda. We argue that ethnic and political agendas are at risk of being at odds with media professionalism.

• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2019). Rapid Assessment of Ethiopian Media during the Transition Period. the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Full text in Research Archive
• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2017). Why Silence? Reporting Internal Conflict in Ethiopian Newspapers. University of Oslo (UiO). Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Ethiopia and its people have been experiencing internal conflicts that have caused many deaths, property destruction, and other tragedies. The main causes of these internal conflicts were the country’s internal political instability and scarce resources, its historical paths, its geographical location, and the current religious fundamentalism in the Horn of Africa. In this research, these internal conflicts were classified into four groups: ethnic, religious, National Power \ Regional Predominance (NP\RP), and Other minor incidents, based on their formation, intensity, and nature. This dissertation’s overarching purpose is to examine how these internal conflicts were reported in selected Ethiopian local newspapers, namely, Addis Admas, Reporter, The Daily Monitor, and The Ethiopian Herald, in the period 2005-2013. The sampled newspapers were deliberately selected because they have been published for many years, are interested in dealing with critical issues and current affairs, and have relatively large circulations within the country. Similarly, the period (2005-2013) was intentionally chosen because it included several conflicts. To meet the main objectives of the dissertation, three main research questions were set. These are: To what extent do the selected newspapers cover the internal conflicts? How do they frame the stories, and what are the challenges they face during reporting on these cases? The study answered these major questions using content analysis, textual analysis, and instruments for collecting and analysing interview data. The content analysis was used to consider the extent of the internal conflict stories that appeared in the selected newspapers. The textual analysis was also employed to discover how the newspapers frame the internal conflicts. The interviews were added to the study to make sense of the reasons for which the selected newspapers reported in the way they did. The study was supported by agenda-setting, framing, and symbolic annihilation theories. The former two theories were employed to develop the tools of the study, to identify the problems, and to support the discussions. The latter, however, was merely used to discuss the data. The study reveals that internal conflict reporting in the selected Ethiopian newspapers was not only minimal in number but also tended to silence cases by ignoring some of the issues or facts of the events in their stories. The frame analysis also reflects that the texts try to hide some of the important elements of the events relating to the internal conflicts. Two frames, the annihilation frame and the attribution of responsibility, are identified in the study. The study also identifies that Ethiopian local newspapers and their journalists, in general, and those in the selected newspapers, in particular, have been facing challenges, mainly in relation to ownership, fear, self-censorship and pressures, which lead reporters to compromise their professional integrity while reporting on cases of internal conflicts. Looking at the overall findings, the study also outlines the possible practical and theoretical implications for the Ethiopian media and, more generally, for media and conflict reporting.

• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu (2017). Why Silence? Reporting Internal Conflict in Ethiopian Newspapers. Universitetet i Oslo. Full text in Research Archive
• Gagliardone, Iginio; Pohjonen, Matti; Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu; Beyene, Zenebe; Zerai, Abdissa & Bekalu, Mesfin Awoke (2016). Mechachal: Online Debates and Elections in Ethiopia - From Hate Speech to Engagement in Social Media. University of Oxford, and Addis Ababa University . Full text in Research Archive
• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu; Gagliardone, Iginio; Pohjonen, Matti; Kebede, Zenebe; Zerai, Abdissa & Bekalu, Mesfin Awoke (2015). Mechachale: A Preliminary Assessment of Online Debates in Ethiopia, part II, Discussing politics and History in Social Media. University of Oxfords and The Program in Comparative Media Law and Policy (PCMLP) and Addis Ababa University,. Full text in Research Archive
• Moges, Mulatu Alemayehu; Gagliardone, Iginio; Pohjonen, Matti; Kebede, Zenebe; Stremlau, Nicole & Zerai, Abdissa [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2015). Mechachal - Online Debates and Elections in Ethiopia. Report Two: Discussing politics and history in social media. University of Oxfords and The Program in Comparative Media Law and Policy (PCMLP) and Addis Ababa University. Full text in Research Archive

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