College of Social Sciences and Languages
Permanent URI for this communityhttps://repository.mu.edu.et/handle/123456789/27
Browse
1 results
Search Results
Item The Practice of Development Journalism in Dimtsi Woyane International: Medeb Hirsha (Agricultural Program) in Focus(Mekelle University, 2025-06-17) Fisehatsion Gebreabzgi HailuThis thesis investigates the practice of DJ in Dimtsi Woyane International (DWI), with a particular focus on the agricultural program Medeb Hirsha, broadcast on both radio and television. The study aims to assess how DJ principles such as participatory communication, empowerment, and advocacy are applied in the program and how effectively these principles contribute to agricultural development in the Tigray region. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research integrates qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with journalists, media managers, and farmers and quantitative data from a comprehensive content analysis of all 53 episodes (48 Radio and 5 TV) aired during the 2016 Ethiopian calendar year. The findings reveal that while the Medeb Hirsha program demonstrates notable efforts to inform and educate farmers, the application of DJ principles is inconsistent. Reporters exhibited varying degrees of understanding regarding DJ, and participatory elements were often constrained by institutional limitations and editorial norms. Nevertheless, the program was found to moderately influence farmers’ awareness, attitudes, and decision-making in agricultural practices. This study contributes to the academic discourse on DJ by offering evidence-based insights into the program's implementation, highlighting both its strengths and areas for improvement. It also provides actionable recommendations aimed at enhancing participatory communication and reinforcing policy support for agricultural media programming in the regional context