The Role of Media in Ethnic Conflict: The Case of Ethiopia

This project aims to conduct an intensive and comprehensive investigation concerning the state and private-owned media’s role in ethnic conflicts in Ethiopia.

The project focuses on two main research questions: The first question focuses on how the media set-agenda and frame ethnic conflicts. At the same time, the second one deals with the factors that shape media behavior and possibly explain variation between different media outlets.

Based on an in-depth study on Ethiopia, this project will further theory-building on media’s role in ethnic conflicts and contribute original empirical findings on an important and recent case.

In answering these two research questions, the planned project also aims at identifying policy recommendations as to how the political elite might influence the media so that it contributes to fostering peace rather than ethnic strife.