The quest for press freedom : one hundred years of history of the media in Ethiopia

The Quest for Press Freedom is a book about press development and freedom in Ethiopia, with a focus on the state media. It examines the building of a modern media institution over the last one hundred years of its existence, and the restrictions against its freedoms. The significance of this work lies in its originality and that it addresses these two issues across three distinct epochs: the monarchy era, the Marxist military regime, and the current ethnic federalist regime. The book examines the political and social situations in each of these periods, and analyzes the effects they had on the media. The book also provides examples of how journalists working for the government-run media have a strong desire to exercise their constitutional right to press freedom. In the final chapter, Reta offers recommendations for a more viable media system in Ethiopia. Contents Preface Acknowledgments Abbreviations General Introduction Part One. THE MEDIA IN THE PRE-OCCUPATION AND OCCUPATION PERIODS (1901–1941) Chapter One. The Transition from Traditional to Modern Forms of Mass Communication Chapter Two. The Media during the Reign of Emperor Menelik II Chapter Three. The Media during the Pre-Occupation Period (1913–1936) Chapter Four. The Media during the Occupation Period (1936–1941) Part Two. THE POST-OCCUPATION PERIOD: INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF THE MEDIA (1941–1974) Introduction Chapter Five. The Print Media Chapter Six. Hurdles against Professionalism Chapter Seven. Broadcast Media Chapter Eight. The Ethiopian News Agency Chapter Nine. Legal and Administrative Controls over the Press Chapter Ten. The Media in the Last Days of the Monarchy Part Three. THE MEDIA IN THE ERA OF REVOLUTION (1974–1991) Introduction Chapter Eleven. Print Media Chapter Twelve. Broadcast Media Chapter Thirteen. Ethiopian News Agency Chapter Fourteen. The Law, the Press, and Professional Association Part Four. THE MEDIA IN THE AGE OF ETHNIC FEDERALISM (1991– ) Introduction Chapter Fifteen. Print Media Chapter Sixteen. Broadcast Media Chapter Seventeen. News Agencies Chapter Eighteen. Laws and Editorial Policies Chapter Nineteen. Restructuring and Manpower Development Chapter Twenty. Professional Organizations Chapter Twenty-One. Concluding Remarks and Recommendations Appendix A. A Chronology of Events during the Pre-Occupation Period Appendix B. List of Newspapers and Magazines Published in Pre-Occupation Period Appendix C. A Chronology of Events during the Occupation Period Appendix D. List of Newspapers and Magazines Published in Post-Occupation Period Appendix E. A Chronology of Events during the Post-Occupation Period Appendix F. A Chronology of Events during the Military Regime Appendix G. A Chronology of Events during the EPRDF Regime Glossary Bibliography Index The Quest for Press Freedom discusses press development and freedom in Ethiopia, with a focus on the state media. It examines the building of a modern media institution over the last one hundred years of its existence and the restrictions against its freedoms. The significance of this work lies in its originality and that it addresses these two issues across three distinct epochs: the monarchy era, the Marxist military regime, and the current ethnic federalist regime. The book examines the political and social situations in each of these periods and analyzes the effects they had on the media. It also provides examples of journalists who works for the government-run media and have a strong desire to exercise their constitutional right to press freedom. In the final chapter, Reta offers recommendation for a more open media system in Ethiopia. Book jacket This book is about press development and freedom in Ethiopia, with a focus on the state media. It examines the political and social situations of the monarchy era, the Marxist military regime, and the current ethnic federalist regime, and analyzes the effects they had on the media