Abstract
The main purpose of this study is to investigate the challenges and opportunities in the use of radio for development in Ethiopia. Radio is found to be the most preferred mass medium to support development efforts in Ethiopia simply because the majority of Ethiopians are farmers while the country’s level of illiteracy is significantly high. To serve the purpose of the study secondary analysis was employed. The analysis and interpretation of data reveal that ownership of radio receivers in Ethiopia is very low. The other major finding of the study discloses that using radio broadcast mainly as a tool of propaganda rather than as a tool of development is one of the impediments and threatening aspects of the growth of broadcast system in the country. According to the present study the state owned radio broadcasters, both federal and regional, have employed the Open Broadcasting Strategy, which follows “a shot-in-the-dark approach” to radio programming. Though it is a very recent phenomenon, regardless of the problems it has encountered, the expansion of community radio in Ethiopia is very encouraging.
Highlights
Background of the Study From the total population of Ethiopia (73.75 million), 83.91 percent of the people live in rural areas mainly based on subsistence farming for their livelihood (Central Statistical Authority [CSA], 2010) and the infrastructure is significantly very poor
The study will proceed to explore the major challenges in the use of mass media, especially radio and the unique opportunities to employ radio as one of a means of development, by considering the following specific objectives: 1. To identify the major impediments in the use of radio for development within the Ethiopian mass media landscape
Delimitation Though there are various problems and some opportunities that are found almost in all the mass media that operate in the country, the scope of this study will be limited to the radio broadcast because it allows for a thorough analysis
Summary
Background of the Study From the total population of Ethiopia (73.75 million), 83.91 percent of the people live in rural areas mainly based on subsistence farming for their livelihood (Central Statistical Authority [CSA], 2010) and the infrastructure is significantly very poor. It is evident that poverty is the main challenge for the ruralists and among the urban dwellers though relatively the problem is much severe in the rural areas of the country. “It is confirmed that there is a severe poverty in the urban areas of the country. Social development has ever been taken as the most excellent solution for the major problems of Third World countries, like Ethiopia, including poverty and poverty related problems such as backwardness, hunger, diseases, injustice and exploitation (Hartmann et al, 1989: 1). Social development cannot be achieved only by transferring capital and technology. It strictly necessitates “the communication of ideas, knowledge and skills to make possible the successful adoption of innovations” (Melkote and Steeves, 2008)
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