Diasporic Media Use: in Participatory Politics and Citizen Journalism: A Case in Ethiopia

Abstract

The study examines diasporic media use in expediting citizen journalism and political apprehension in contemporary Ethiopia. The paper critically evaluated literatures on the role of media activism and citizen journalism in promoting and delivering democracy, describing and evaluating the importance of the development of the Ethiopian diasporic press since 2005, and giving an embellished conceptual account of the political and socio-economic ramification of diasporic media industries. The researcher used an intensive online interviewing tool  which took place at the respondents ‘convenience and an online chatting with the website editors and a longitudinal study between January 2016-and February 2018.The case study were Ethiopian Satellite Television, Oromia Media Network from the electronic media, and merja.com, voiceofgihon.com, and amharapress.com from the web-based disaporic media.

The empirical research undertaken shows that these diasporic media are creating an enabling environment in which people can access information and exercise their freedom of speech. These media are creating an environment in which people are able to make rational decisions when it comes to political affairs.

The study, in addition demonstrated that diasporic media which play a decisive role in the forms of social, political and economic synergy that scheme thoughts, world-views, beliefs, ideas and concepts that underpin their relationships.