Perceived professional autonomy among Ethiopian regional state media journalists: A post‐reform account of Amhara Media Corporation

Abstract

This study examined the degree of perceived editorial autonomy possessed by journalists working in the Amhara Media Corporation (AMC) in determining the emphasis of news stories. It also identifies the factors that exert the greatest influence on journalists’ decision‐making regarding story selection, source determination and framing the news following the 2018 political reform, in Ethiopia using the “hierarchy‐of‐influences” model. The research employed a sequential explanatory mixed method approach, using stratified random sampling to survey 152 participants, and purposive sampling to conduct in‐depth interviews with 7 selected journalists. The quantitative data indicates that journalists’ autonomy at AMC remains restricted. On the other hand, the qualitative data divulges that the extent of professional autonomy among AMC journalists is contingent upon the support received from assigned managers and by the political climate of the country. As a result, the professional autonomy experienced by journalists at AMC is subject to situational factors and fluctuating. Furthermore, procedural, professional, organizational, and political influences are found with the most decisive influence, respectively.