Abstract:
Dar FM 96.9 in deepening democracy and good governance was the principal objective of the study. Qualitative methodology was the sole methodology which the researcher used to approach the investigation. Focus group discussion was the single data collection tool employed to collect the relevant data. The gathered data were discussed and analyzed under seven important themes such as the programs tendency of raising good governance issues, the impact of the program in addressing the good governance issues (Responsiveness), the participatory nature of the program, the presentation of the program, the Watchdog role of the program and constraints of the program. The finding displayed that the program contributed a lot in entertaining the real burning issues of the society. The live and hot nature of the program was also seen as significant in deepening democracy there by primarily cultivating people’s culture of democracy. As the researcher shows that the program was inclusive and participative. The producers of the program were also admired for their effort of engaging the mass in their humble and democratic approach. The result of the focus group discussion displayed that the producers of the program were matured and effective in running the weekly program. Most discussants testified that the producers are struggling to conduct the program in a democratic and civilized manner. The study also revealed that the program has serious limitation in making sure that the promises of the officials and the needs of the society are being implemented in the ground. One of the responsibilities of any media (in particular, programs like Eskieninegageribet) is to serve as a watch dog role. However, the program is not strong enough in confronting higher government officials and sensitive area of politics. According to the research indicated that even the topic of the program is not inviting such role of the media. This means that sensitive and strong political issues are not included on the program. Conceiving the fact that no media is without restraints, the research investigated the constraints of Eskieninegageribet program. Censorship by producers of the program was one of the central reasons sensitive and political issues are not entertained on the program. The research showed that journalists’ usually rejecting sensitive societal and political issue for they fear confronting officials. Lack of professional capacity on the side of journalists was the other bottleneck problem which hindered producers of the program not to
serve as a watch dog.
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