Appraisal of Mass Media in Reporting Domestic Research Results: Ethiopian News Agency (ENA) and Walta Information Center (WIC) in Focus.

Abstract

The aim of this research is to analyze news coverage of two wire services in Ethiopia, namely ENA and WIC. The research also appraises the role of these news media in relation to the contribution of local research dissemination. 340 sample news stories are chosen for content analysis from both wire services. Systematic sampling technique is employed to pick representative news items. The selected stories have been covered by news media of the country. 18 key informants are also used purposively for interview. The findings of the study have shown that the range of ENA and WIC news coverage is diverse and wide, but the proportion given to issues in news coverage is imbalanced. Educational, health, agricultural and science and technology, for example, are local topics that have got very little news recognition and attention. The coverage of local and foreign research findings of ENA is almost the same and equal in proportion. Whereas in the case of WIC, the coverage of foreign research findings is quadruple than the coverage of local research findings. This indicates local research findings have got little attention and recognition in the news coverage. It shows journalists’ engagement in reporting and popularizing local research findings is very low. Even, the finding from the news media further implied that the researchers are less attracted by the media.