Negotiating freedom of speech in hierarchical societies: The case of Ethiopian journalists

Abstract

This research examines the role of socio-cultural assumptions in shaping journalistic work and the practice of freedom of speech in Ethiopia through the view and experience of Ethiopian journalists. Using qualitative methods for data collection and analysis, the study aims at drawing attention to a little discussed aspect of freedom of speech and the media in Ethiopia from a socio-cultural point of view. Within a bit more than 100 years, Ethiopia has seen major changes of regimes, from a feudal monarchy via a socialist military regime to a federal model. All these have to a degree started initiatives where the space has been opened for a free press, before the space have been more or less closed down again. Why is that? What makes these different political systems act in the same way of dominating and controlling the media system? Reviewed literatures informed this research that hierarchy is regarded as viable social order, guiding all aspects in society from the political structure down to the family level and socialization of children. The data collected through in-depth interviews with ten Ethiopian journalists also reveal that hierarchy and domination is dominant feature of social relations both at home and the work place. Silencing starts at home where by submission of children to adults is regarded as giving respect and a base for strong sense of keeping ones’ dignity. Using concepts on socialization drawn from the works of Berger and Luckmann (1966) and Elder-Vass (2012) in analyzing respondents’ views and experience, this thesis tries to explain how socio-cultural assumptions influences the practice of freedom of speech in Ethiopia.