Terje Skjerdal

NLA University College · Journalism and Media Studies

This study examines the perceived relevance and implementation of competing normative ideals in journalism in times of increasing use of digital technology in newsrooms. Based on survey and content analysis data from 37 countries, we found a small positive relationship between the use of digital research tools and “watchdog” performance. However, a...

The impact of socio-political variables on journalism is an ongoing concern of comparative research on media systems and professional cultures. However, they have rarely been studied systematically across diverse cases, particularly outside Western democracies, and existing studies that compare western and non-western contexts have mainly focused o...

Religion has become an issue in the Ethiopian media. This is a new situation in a country which for many years excluded religious expressions from the public media. With the coming of prime minister Abiy Ahmed and the Prosperity Party in 2018, the principle of the secular state, which is in the Ethiopian Constitution, has been challenged fundamenta...

This paper examines journalistic role performance in coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic, based on a content analysis of newspaper, television, radio and online news in 37 countries. We test a set of hypotheses derived from two perspectives on the role of journalism in health crises. Mediatization theories assume that news media tend to sensationaliz...

Using media democracy as its case, this article reports results of a study on the state of Ethiopian newspapers with op-ed commentaries. There is good reason to focus on newspaper op-ed column, because it is considered as a forum for democratic practice in a mediated setting. Thus, the study takes the perspective of op-ed forum as a public sphere w...

The Ethiopia of 2018 was a country experiencing political reform from the three-years youth-led mass protest and violence. The reform became one of the top concerns in the Ethiopian media between 2018 and 2019. This study aims to determine media framing of the reform in major Ethiopian newspapers with public media input of op-ed commentaries. The p...

p>Studies suggest that, at the routine level, news beats function as unique “micro-cultures.” Exploring this “particularist” approach in news content, we compare how the interventionist, watchdog, loyal, service, infotainment, and civic roles materialize across 11 thematic news beats and analyze the moderating effect of platforms, ownership, and le...

p>Studies suggest that, at the routine level, news beats function as unique “micro-cultures.” Exploring this “particularist” approach in news content, we compare how the interventionist, watchdog, loyal, service, infotainment, and civic roles materialize across 11 thematic news beats and analyze the moderating effect of platforms, ownership, and le...

Studies suggest that, at the routine level, news beats function as unique “micro-cultures.” Exploring this “particularist” approach in news content, we compare how the interventionist, watchdog, loyal, service, infotainment, and civic roles materialize across 11 thematic news beats and analyze the moderating effect of platforms, ownership, and leve...

The shifting role of journalism in a digital age has affected long-standing journalistic norms across media platforms. This has reinvigorated discussion on how work in online newsrooms compares to other platforms that differ in media affordances and forms. Still, more studies are needed on whether those differences translate into distinct practices...

The current study investigates how stakeholders' participation was used to improve environmental security and the livelihoods of the poor in rural community of Ethiopia. In particular, the study attempts to identify models of stakeholder participation and the factors that influence participation using qualitative methods. In-depth interviews, focus...

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Natural resource protection in Africa, particularly in rural communities, require effective communication between resource managers and community residents. Environmental conflict, however, impedes the efficacy of communication strategies. Thus, this study investigates evidence of environmental conflicts as impeding factors for participatory enviro...

This study examined non-formal Environmental Education (EE) is employed in interventions aimed at empowering rural society in Ethiopia. The study focused on a relatively less explored area of how non-formal EE in the form of project-based learning and how it was used to equip the community with skills and knowledge. Using qualitative data collectio...

The purpose of this study was exploring evidence of a community-based environment and forest development program run by an organization. It is a thematic analysis of scientific documents related to the experiences and challenges were explored. The academic study carefully followed a holistic approach to meet the needs of diverse stakeholders. The o...

This report looks into the issue of media and ethnicity in contemporary Ethiopia. As anyone can witness, there have been immense changes in the local media situation since Dr Abiy Ahmed assumed leadership in April 2018. In just two years, the country has improved its ranking on Reporter Without Borders’ Press Freedom Index by 51 places, which is th...

Executive summary Th is report looks into the issue of media and ethnicity in contemporary Ethiopia. As anyone can witness, there have been immense changes in the local media situation since Dr. Abiy Ahmed assumed leadership in April 2018. In just two years, the country has improved its ranking on Reporter Without Borders’ Press Freedom Index by...

Social media commonly function as alternative channels for debate in controlled media societies, often supported by the digital diaspora. This study takes a closer look at Ethiopia, where communication traditionally has been controlled by the government. The situation was particularly tense between 2016 and 2017, when a state of emergency act was d...

In this chapter we ask the basic but fundamental question: Who are the journalists? Our aim is to identify key insights into gender distribution, journalists’ ages and levels of experience, their education, work environment and employment conditions.

In this chapter we ask the basic but fundamental question: Who are the journalists? Our aim is to identify key insights into gender distribution, journalists’ ages and levels of experience, their education, work environment and employment conditions. In this book we ask how do journalists around the world view their roles and responsibilities in s...

“Checkbook journalism” and “payment for coverage” are occasionally used interchangeably, although the terms refer to different practices. While checkbook journalism concerns media businesses which pay sources for stories or information, payment for coverage (popularly known as brown envelope journalism) occurs when sources reimburse journalists for...

Hong Kong has a reputation for being one of the freest media societies in Asia, but its ranking on press freedom indices has fallen steadily since the Chinese takeover in 1997. The online media have nevertheless created a space for a widened public sphere. In a situation of growing self-censorship and rise of alternative journalism formats, this st...

Using the case of brown envelope journalism (informal gratitude offered to journalists), this chapter discusses the discrepancy between theory and practice in African journalism ethics. The chapter offers a synthesis of research conducted on journalistic bribery in sub-Saharan Africa since around 2005. Two major interpretations are identified: the...

Development journalism remains an important concept in the journalism studies literature, but it has, at the same time, suffered from a lack of empirical research. Drawing on a survey of 2598 journalists from eight South Asian, Southeast Asian, and sub-Saharan African countries, which was conducted as part of the Worlds of Journalism Study, this st...

The article discusses differences in professional perceptions among male and female journalists in Ethiopia, which is a country known for low scores on gender equality and limited women representation in the media. The approach is quantitative, involving a survey of 350 local journalists. The study observes gender differences in the monitoring and...

The article discusses the footprint of global learning in journalism programmes in the Nordic countries, drawing a distinction between global awareness, global knowledge and global competence. Reviewing curricular profiles of the various journalism programmes offered in the five Nordic countries, the authors find that only a few programmes emphasis...

The central target of Ethiopian foreign policy is economic development. Developing mutual relationships and promoting the country’s positive image to attract foreign direct investments are some ways of securing these advantages. To this effect, the media could play a key role.

The International History of Communication Study maps the growth of media and communication studies around the world in the twentieth century. Drawing out transnational flows of ideas, institutions, publications, and people, it offers the most comprehensive picture to date of the global history of communication research and education. The Internati...

This article examines the narratives presented on the subjects of relocation, investment and development in Ethiopia. In particular, we focus upon representations given by the Government of Ethiopia and Human Rights Watch (HRW) of the Gambella Region. The article deconstructs and critically assesses the discourse and the way in which representation...

The potential impact of citizen journalism depends on its socio-political context. While a conducive climate can accommodate participatory media, a restrictive society has barriers that might be imperceptible to an outsider. These barriers are not just political: they are likely to be technological, economic and cultural as well. Despite the fact t...

Using Ethiopia as its case, this dissertation discusses a classic problem in journalism sociology, specifically the dilemma of media practitioners who face multiple commitments. One stream of research within this area has focused on the conflict that arises when journalists find their professional commitment to be challenged by a commitment to a no...

This chapter discusses recent developments in Ethiopian media governance. The developments point in two directions: Formally speaking, media policy is liberalized, exemplified by improved media legislation, better access to public information, and issuing of private broadcasting licences. However, informally speaking, Ethiopian media governance sho...

Much African journalism scholarship has had a critical stand towards ‘Western’ journalism models. The criticism has resulted in the submission of alternative African journalism models such as ujamaa journalism, ubuntu journalism and oral discourse journalism. The present article reviews a number of significant contributions to normative African jou...

Journalism programmes across the African continent have different attitudes to the issue of universal vs. local values in journalism. This article discusses the issue in light of a post-graduate journalism programme that opened at Addis Ababa University in 2004. In its 5-year implementation phase, the programme engaged educators from Europe and Nor...

This study investigates the role of the diaspora online media as stakeholders in the transnational Ethiopian media landscape. Through content analysis of selected websites and interviews with editors, the research discusses how the sites relate to recognized journalistic ideals and how the editors view themselves in regard to journalistic professio...

In 2008, Ethiopian authorities presented a draft policy document which established development journalism as the official reporting style for the state media. The policy prescribes that the media and journalists should play an active role in the country's development scheme. Assigning such a role to the media is controversial – not the least since...

Rewards and Manila Envelopes in Ethiopian Journalism In African media practice, journalists commonly receive money from their sources of information. Instead of condemning these cash or in-kind payments, Behanu Lodamo and Terje Skjerdal strive to describe Ethiopia’s “manila envelope” system from the inside, to understand the practice’s internal log...

This study investigates self-censorship practices in Ethiopian state media institutions. Through indepth interviews with 61 journalists, the study discloses extensive use of self-censorship on the part of journalists who try to conform to the expected reporting style of the state media. The journalists are largely critical of self-censorship, but c...

Beware journalists in exile, warns Terje S. Skjerdal, a lecturer in journalism in both Norway and Ethiopia. He argues that journalists in the West are too willing to believe accounts from fellow journalists who have fled from oppressive regimes. Uncritical coverage of their stories risk being counterproductive, he argues. Drawing on his knowledge o...

This article discusses the practices of freebies (taking items such as free tickets or dinners for the journalist's personal gain) and brown envelopes (the informal transfer of money from sources to journalists) among journalists in the stateowned Ethiopian Radio and Television Agency (ERTA). Such practices are known in journalism fraternities all...

One of the main dilemmas facing journalism education across Africa is whether one can argue for a 'universal' set of journalistic standards while at the same time maintaining a culturally sensitive journalism practice. Underlying the dilemma is the question of whether there is a need to identify an ' African journalism' philoso-phy that is normativ...

This article discusses the practices of freebies (taking items such as free tickets or dinners for the journalist's personal gain) and brown envelopes (the informal transfer of money from sources to journalists) among journalists in the stateowned Ethiopian Radio and Television Agency (ERTA). Such practices are known in journalism fraternities all...

The Afar people of north-eastern Ethiopia possesses a traditional communication system that in several ways resembles modern news media. Properly used 'dagu' could be a vital instrument in for instance health education.

Šiame straipsnyje nušviečiama vis dažniau Norvegijoje diskutuojama naujosios žiniasklaidos kuriamų iššūkių redakcinei atsakomybei tema. Internetinių diskusijų forumai sukėlė ypač daug ginčų ir neaiškumų dėl redakcijos vaidmens. Tyrimas atskleidė, jog Norvegijos Spaudos nusiskundimų komisijos gaunamų skundų dėl internetinio turinio skaičius auga, da...

Journalism education and training in Eastern Africa has commonly been a result of fragmented initiatives by Western donor organisations, but there is now a growing tendency to formalise programmes in established colleges and universities. The merger of existing journalism programmes, as has happened recently in Ethiopia and Tanzania, is a notable t...

The South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) hearings on the media in 1997 were probably unique from a world perspective. In contrast to attempts made elsewhere world to investigate the role of the media in relation to political procedures, the TRC specifically called for the media to participate in the truth telling and reconciliati...

This study seeks to explore the mediated discourse of the South African abortion debate 1995/96. It is limited to the editorials in 13 of the largest newspapers, totalling a number of 24 editorials. Through a discourse analysis approach, the writer attempts to show how words and argumentation were used to associate the new liberal abortion bill wit...

This paper presents research into journalism cultures in three large media organizations in Ethiopia, all state-owned: Ethiopian Television, Ethiopian News Agency and The Ethiopian Herald. Through a series of in-depth interviews the researcher set forth to analyse how journalists cope with the potential conflict between being a professional journal...