Abstract:
This study compares how local and international media outlets covered the
ongoing conflict in the Amhara Region, using the Amhara Media Corporation (AMC),
Abay TV, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), and the Voice of America
(VOA) as cases. Two hundred forty-five (245) news articles from purposively selected
media outlets, taken from a purposively chosen time frame between August and
December 2023, were analysed using a convergent parallel mixed-methods design and
compared with a comparative case study framework. Quantitative content analysis and
qualitative text analysis were utilised to collect data. The quantitative data were
processed in SPSS and presented as descriptive statistics (tables, graphs, and
percentages), while qualitative content analysis was used to analyse the qualitative
data. Notable differences between local and international media outlets were observed
in their coverage of the conflict. Across media outlets, government officials are the
dominant source, whereas international media outlets utilise a wider range of sources.
The study findings revealed that media ownership affects how the media practice
conflict reporting. The study employed agenda-setting and framing theory. The study
recommended that media outlets should give a diversity of voices during times of
conflict. It requires greater effort to enhance media outlets’ role in serving as a voice
for the voiceless. Finally, it is recommended that further holistic research on the topic
include interviews with participants, as this study is based on media content.