International Journal of Scientific and Engineering Research, Volume 11, Issue 9, September 2020 Edition

ISSN 2229-5518

The practice of Development Journalism In

Amhara Radio.
Fevenn Dilnessa
Abstract_ This thesis conducted to investigate Amhara Radio news concerning development journalism practice in the news stories After the
Reformation (After D/R Abbey Ahmed Appointed). The main objectives of the research is to assess the practices of development Journalism in Amhara
Radio news room. The research answered the following questions, how developmental journalism practiced in Amhara radio news Rooms? What are
the major challenges, if any, that affect the practice of development journalism in Amhara radio. In order to achieve the research objectives the
researcher used qualitative methods of the study. to study How DJ practiced in AR news room the researcher used in-depth interviews of Amhara
Radio news room journalists both editors and reporters. The study build up on Murthy, (2011) models of development journalism. The study revealed
that there is huge gap in practicing development journalism in the news room. The finding of the research revealed that Amhara radio journalists
practicing developmental journalism rather than development journalism. Knowledge gap, striving for Deadline (Time constraints), government influence
and asset constraints have the bottle neck to practice Development Journalism in Amhara Radio News Room. The researcher forwards the following
Main points to tackle challenges of DJ in AR news room; Minimize Development achievement news, Give professional training, the administration higher
authorities should lift their hands from Amhara radio news coverage, AR should equip necessary journalistic equipment’s such as field car, and AR
should give emphasis for DJ.
Index Terms_ development achievement news, Development Journalism, Developmental Journalism, fail news, narrative news, occasion arranged
news, process type news.

1. Introduction
This thesis conducted to assess the practices of selected by government higher officials not from society
development Journalism in the Amhara Radio news room needs neither in researched manner simply the stories are
after the newly prime minster D/R Abiy Ahmed appointed. the wishes of the government .The government give
Qualitative method has employed to study how the media emphasis to specific segments of development in specific
practice development Journalism in Amhara Radio news time framed (in limited time frame) like planting trees the
room. The researcher has employed qualitative method segments are short time projects which are the behavior of
design. developmental journalism reporting style .
The tools of this research for collecting data are primary AR news are not process oriented news and mostly
sources. The rational for choosing primary sources is ample government sources news ,AR news as it has been said is
to get first-hand information from practitioners. The study occasion arranged, which usually promotes government
procures data from an individual in-depth interview with achievements ; when they got the opportunity to report
the editors, and journalists. Data obtained from in- depth from the spot(the improvement venture area).
interview, has analyzed word-by-word using thematic Nevertheless, DJ needs comparison of government
analysis. promises and plans with real work done and it needs
rivaling unaccomplished plans and government fails.
Even if 2008 Ethiopian draft policy announced the
Ethiopian state media journalism deemed to be
development journalism and the Guidelines of the medium
(AR) like editorial policy put that the medium journalism
type is development journalism; there is huge gap in
practicing development journalism in the news room due
to different reasons; the reasons are time constraints,
professional constraints, government control and lack of
assets.
Amhara radio journalists practicing developmental
journalism than development journalism. AR news are
narrative and positive, one sided which usually promote
government success; all this news behaviors are more likely
approximate to developmental journalism than
development journalism.
AR editors and reporters confess that they get the news
agenda from their boss and their boss receive the agenda
from their higher officials that means AR news stories
 International Journal of Scientific and Engineering Research, Volume 11, Issue 9, September 2020 Edition
ISSN 2229-5518
2. Murthy Models of Development Journalism
According to this model “development journalism has
specific objectives in the context of its role in the society”,
“its objectives are to investigate, analyze, interpret and
commit itself to development. Development journalism
differs from developmental journalism the later promotes
specific development projects with in specific time frame in
narrow area of coverage. In another way development
journalism reporting style differs from developmental
reporting style. DJ reporting style is investigative, critical,
analytical and negative stories while developmental
journalism reporting style is the reverse which is positive
and narrative (Murthy, 1998).
3. THE PRACTICES OF DEVELOPMENT JOURNALISM
The researcher conducted in-depth interview with AR
newsroom journalists and Editors. The respondents are
Five, among five respondents two respondents answered as
they practicing DJ in some points and three of them
answered, as we are not practicing DJ at all. In addition, for
the question Does AR prefer event or process type news all
respondent answered, they preferred event type news. For
the question why AR news is event type news, editors and
reporters answered different answers.
The editor answered,” The influence of our boss is high
because our bosses work to please government officials. So
directly they accept government agenda which is usually
covers the whole part of news programs then we will not
have air time and man power to report process type and
fail news, also whenever the journalist try to cover fail
projects our bosses reject it and discourage the journalists.
Editor in-chief and managers prefer us to cover positive
news usually directly and indirectly the journalists
discouraged by our bosses”. (Informant 3, December 18,
2019).
Reporters of AR answered for the question does AR
practicing DJ well. As follows “Always trying our bests to
educate the farmers, even the audience called us
unattractive medium because we always try to educate
farmers. Our focusing point is educating and creates
awareness “(Informant 1, December 19, 2019). In this view
the researcher, understand that there is misunderstanding
among the journalists towards DJ; misconception DJ as only
mere promotion of Agriculture development. The reporter
answered as we are working to bring change the farmers by
promoting agricultural development and environmental
protection. In this perception the researcher, recognize AR
news journalists perception towards DJ is mere agricultural
development news. Another respondent who works for
almost four years in AR newsroom answered as “we are
not practicing DJ at all “. “The medium does not give
attention wither DJ is practicing or not there is not
obligatory work environment wither we practicing DJ or
not neither given to great deal for DJ in our medium” she
said, “We are not practicing DJ at all”. “neither the medium
as a medium nor a journalist as a journalist .for this
shortcoming the medium is responsible on because the
medium has not any regulation mechanism to control
wither the DJ is practicing in the news room or not .Neither
the medium encourage us to practice DJ.” According to the
respondent there is also lack of practical training for DJ and
they confuse how they practicing DJ (Informant 2,
December 18, 2019).
The previous respondent who works for about 7 years as a
journalist informs the researcher as follows, “AR has great
gap in reporting process type and fail news. Because we
tied with news deadline .the medium give emphasis for
news numbers than news quality .if you produced more
news you appreciated and get promotion wither the news
are well furnished in DJ point of view or not anybody cares
about it”(Informant 1, December 18,2019)
He added that shortage of vehicles are also hinder to
produce process type news for instance we have not
transport service we use public transport it is hard for us to
go in remote area to cover the uncover news ,the time
given to us also always short we need to get back as fast as
we can . We usually pushed to pick events in front of us.
We challenged to stay on the right place and dig deep
information .we always are in hurry for deadlines and
avoid money shortage while we were on the fieldwork. We
always challenged that is why we prefer we usually pick
events as news. (Informant 1, December 18, 2019).
However, development news coverage as recommended by
Austin (1997), in Banda incorporates the guideline of
development journalist as analytical watchdogs
In the examination interviews, Editors says they like to be
'erring on the side of caution' when covering issues. They
center on occasion type development news, which limit
time and exertion. Moreover, the medium see the positive
picture working of the country as a significant piece of their
obligation.
As indicated by one informant who are over 10 years
experienced editor the medium should cover every day
government exercises which won't permit broadcast
appointment and labor for basic and procedure arranged
news type (Informant 4, December 19,2019).
As indicated by talked with reporters the medium
journalists censored by their chief and self-control .he
educated the editor there is enormous expert impact in
covering bombed government extends .the journalist refers
to a story he did as in the medium 'Tiret 'corporate
debasement as he guaranteed the news ought to be secured
before numerous years back . The molded is a similar
yesterday and today, there is an equivalent test
significantly after the new prime minster delegated
constantly higher authorities controlled the medium. We
International Journal of Scientific and Engineering Research, Volume 11, Issue 9, September 2020 Edition
ISSN 2229-5518
cannot openly cover government-bombed ventures. The
journalist included there is time and assets deficiency in
covering process situated news type. (Informant 5
December 19, 2019)
Male editor who worked for about four years in AR
newsroom said that there is also a knowledge gap among
development journalism practitioners .most of us came
from teaching discipline I for instance, came from foreign
language discipline I was teaching in secondary school I
train journalism from my coworkers. In some conditions,
AMMA hired journalism professionals. Whenever
professional different occurs Sometimes we crashed
because as much as cares for principles they slowed in their
news outcomes yet we editors strive to cover the air time
and always crash with our reporters so that our trend is
fast as much as you can we usually do not worry about
principles of journalism. We editors strive to fill air time
because our boss demand it from us Besides, as I said
earlier there is knowledge gap since we came from different
disciplines. However, our organization and the medium too
will change gradually because most of us joined Bahirdar
University to study media and communication I hope it
will help us to bring change in our practice of development
journalism, I hope it will bring dynamic change within
short period. So far, for the question is AR newsroom
practicing development journalism he answered not exactly
but us trying our best to practice it because our bosses
(team leader to general manager) oriented us in the earlier
time of joining the organization. Nevertheless there is
knowledge gap in practicing DJ the editor said that I doubt
even if our boss knowing DJ very well. Our bosses oriented
us DJ is supporting government development programs
supporting government programs even the editorial policy
said that. However, we have not knowledge to expose
government when it fails to accomplish promised
development programs; we notice exposing government
fail is watchdog role western journalism type. We assume
development journalism is government success story all the
time (Informant 3, December 18, 2019).
Female Reporter who works for about 5 years in Amhara
radio news room answered for the question do you
practicing DJ very well? She said I think we are practicing
DJ however there is not check list to verify wither we
practicing it or not I think we are practicing it there is no
detail guideline for how we should work DJ. For the
question among the two reporting style which one is trend
of AR news room? She answered as most of our news are
event oriented ,sometimes we discuss in peer group
discussion we must prefer process type report also we take
training several times when we trying to change in practice
there are many challenges that prevent us to do process
type reporter. Our primary challenges are our editors and
media managers, she said most of the time the reporter got
the agenda from media managers and editors that is
usually press release and ceremonial events we could not
work our planned work. She said that they monthly plan
their accounts and get discussions over contributions to the
arrangement. However what they do is other than the
reporters planed agenda which came from government
higher officials and arranged by editorial groups (from
team leader to general manager) together and conveyed to
them by the news segment coordinator (Informant 2,
December 18, 2019).
Journalists in Amhara radio have different point of view
regarding development journalism some see development
journalism as a mere promotion of Agriculture
advancement and some have knowledge gap regarding
how DJ works and some journalist’s earmarks of being very
much aware of the development news coverage. Most
journalists in AR have not gone to courses and preparing
where they realize what the strategy implies for every day
news coverage practice. As reporter of Amhara Radio
medium, the editors and journalist’s has constantly
recognized that, a significant piece of their capacity is to
help national advancement and development (Informant 1,
December 18).
The editors accuse journalists in covering positive and
process type Development news since they have not
commitment of doing it. Nevertheless, the Editor conceded
there is time and asset lack in covering process situated
development news type. In any case, scarcely any
journalists ' who have duty to do so including in this sort of
news report.
The medium journalist underline positive and occasion
situated news from government everyday Work confine
them to cover the general public intrigue. According to
Editor the medium Editor illuminate the journalists he
sense struggle between being proficient media laborer and
effectively advancing harmony simultaneously .The
editorial concedes that there are times when she has
counsel’s senior authorities. As indicated by this Editor, if
we have commitment and knowledge we can win our boss,
journalist’s low duty has more prominent impact than
authentic restriction and asset lack (Informant 4, December
18, 2019). Likewise, the ten purposes of development news
coverage principle proposed by Galtung and Vincent (1992)
perceive development news casting is basic and insightful
in nature.
The editor also informs that in addition to our boss
influence to report positive news the commitment of the
journalist is low to report challenging news, which is the
root cause for not reporting process type and fail news.
According to editor low trend of society to give information
also hinder to report fail news especially in
maladministration and corruptions.
 International Journal of Scientific and Engineering Research, Volume 11, Issue 9, September 2020 Edition
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All in all both Editor, Reporters and Chief editors agree on
the point AR news room is not reporting process type and
fail news, the causes are internal and external. Aggarwala,
(1978) also plot that except if the administration supports or
demonstrate readiness to rehearse insightful revealing, it is
hard to the journalist not to be a mouth piece for
government publicity, let alone to be an analytical
journalist and assume the watch dog job of the press. "This
way to deal with development news coverage would
likewise necessitate that legislatures bolster a press
framework which will be so transparently basic”.
Conclusion
This study identified gaps in Practicing DJ in AR news
room
 The medium news are occasion situated and one way (one
side) tubes for passing government data to people in
general. The news’s are less basic in this way lack the
watchdog role.
 Structural restriction - government authorities’ interfere in
media practice to keep up their statuesque, Self-censorship
of journalists, lower level of Public culture of data trade,
lower inspiration of committed development journalists,
trespassing(omitting) of DJ principles and government
authorities view of DJ as a development achievement just
announcing, are the significant prevention towards the AR
development news reporting.
Since most of Amhara Radio, news’s’ is event oriented than
process oriented news it is the indication they are practicing
developmental journalism rather than development
journalism.
Recommendation
The above end shows Amhara radio newsroom is
problematic in applying development news casting. To
improve the scene practice of news reporting practically
equivalent to the expert measures the accompanying
suggestions are given: The newsroom:
1) The administration higher authorities should lift their
hands from Amhara radio news coverage. Unquestionably,
the chain that made the administration media top
managerial staff drove by the correspondence undertaking
pastors, and the pitifully media board meeting seat by the
administration correspondence issues ought to be cut off,
and Amhara radio must be free and autonomous open
adjusting organizations by canceling 'basic' and 'self'
control.
2) AR should equip necessary journalistic equipment’s such
as field car.
3) Necessary vehicles should be fulfill
4) AR newsroom should give emphasis to furnish news in
DJ point of view than the numbers of the news
5) AR newsroom should give emphasis for DJ guidelines
and principles and should organize periodical training for
news reporters and editors.
International Journal of Scientific and Engineering Research, Volume 11, Issue 9, September 2020 Edition
ISSN 2229-5518
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Appendix
Appendix 1- In depth interview guidelines (Questioners)
1. How would you think DJ is helpful for Amhra Radio
practice?
2. Do you think your foundation is adding to The Ethiopian
individuals’ development?
3. What are the significant difficulties you and your media are
looking in practicing DJ?
4. Why did your media become occasion based?
5. Why Amhara Radio news does consistently is short falling
in applying basic news coverage with a focal point of
investigation?
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Appendix 2 Lists of In-depth interview respondent

Positions in Amhara Informant Code

Name Radio
Rehimet Adem News reporter Informant 2
Woinshet Getachew News Editor Informant 4
Mulate Asemamaw News reporter Informant 1
Anonyms source News Reporter Informant 5 I
Anonyms source News Editor Informant 3