Ethiopian Journal of Language, Culture and Communication

Effects of graphic organizers on students’ reading engagement of Ethiopian grade five students

Yewulsew Melak Mehari — 2026-01-31

Reading engagement remains a major challenge among Grade Five EFL learners in Ethiopia, where limited exposure to English texts and teacher-centered instruction often reduce students’ motivation and active participation in reading. To address this gap, the present study examined the effect of graphic organizers on students’ behavioral, cognitive, and emotional engagement in reading. A quasi-experimental pre-test–post-test design was employed, involving 98 students sampled from a single school. The study was conducted over a seven-week intervention period. The experimental group (49 students) received reading instruction using instructional materials prepared by the researchers, which incorporated various graphic organizers, such as concept maps, Venn diagrams, Know–Want to Know–Learned charts, story maps, and cause-and-effect charts, applied to reading passages sourced directly from the Grade Five English textbook. In contrast, the comparison groups (49 students) were taught through teacher-centered methods using the textbook’s standard activities without any graphicorganizer. Quantitative data were collected through a reading engagement questionnaire, and qualitative insights were gathered via focus group discussions to complement and deepen the interpretation of results. The post-test findings revealed that the experimental group (M = 111.67) demonstrated significantly higher engagement than the comparison group (M = 85.57), with a mean difference of 26.10, t (96) = 12.47, p < .001, and a large effect size (Cohen’s d = 2.97, η² = 0.69). Qualitative findings supported these results, showing that students found reading more interesting, interactive, and meaningful when graphic organizers were used. Overall, the study concludes that integrating graphic organizers into EFL reading instruction enhances students’ behavioral, cognitive, and emotional engagement, suggesting their strong potential for promoting active, student-centered learning and improving reading comprehension in primary classrooms.

Gender role construction through birth ritual in Dorze community

Atsede Yaregal Fentie — 2026-01-31

This study examines the construction of gender roles within the Dorze community through the lens of birth ceremonies. It aims to identify the gender roles reflected within these ceremonies and reveal the values associated with them. The study employs a qualitative research design, utilizing data gathered from both primary and secondary sources. Data were collected through interviews, focus group discussions, observations, and document reviews. The gathered information was then analyzed within the frameworks of Social Constructionism and Symbolic Interactionism theories. According to the analysis the choice of birthing location, expressions of joy, Seating arrangements for guests, the reception of the paternal grandfather and Postpartum events serve as key indicators of gender roles within the community's birth ceremonies. The findings confirm that masculinity is prominently associated with roles of ownership, inheritance, and decision-making, while femininity is framed primarily through the role of caregiving.

Independence in the shadow of power: A phenomenological inquiry of Public Service Broadcasting management in Ethiopia

Mebrate Haile Gebremedhin — 2026-01-31

This phenomenological inquiry aimed at exploring how Public Service Broadcasting managers and journalists in Ethiopia experience and interpret independence in their daily professional practice where enduring political control, financial dependency, and institutional subservience intersect to undermine journalistic autonomy. The study covers the past three decades, with particular emphasis on the final six years of the Ethiopian Peoples’ Revolutionary Democratic Front regime and the six years following its dissolution. The lived experiences of nine research participants representing managers and editors-in-chief from broadcasters claiming to serve public interest were purposively selected for in-depth interviews. The findings reveal that intertwined political, financial, and legal entanglements have normalized institutional conformity within public broadcaster, undermining professional autonomy and transforming the broadcaster as an extension of incumbent political interests rather than a watchdog for the public. The researchers recommend that a democratic culture grounded in accountability, transparency, and provision of quality public service be fostered within the Public Service Broadcasting in Ethiopia. We suggest that the broadcasting should enhance their editorial independence and maintain institutional autonomy by depoliticizing governance, diversifying funding sources, and getting public support in terms of enforcing legal and policy safeguards.

Water-Based folk weather forecasting knowledge of the Negede community

Kehulum Belay Mekonnen — 2026-01-31

The main objective of this study is to explore the Negede community’s deep connection to water by examining their folk knowledge in water-based weather forecasting. Using a qualitative research approach, primary data were collected through interviews, observations, and focus group discussions, while relevant documents were reviewed to obtain secondary data. The informants included in the study were selected using purposive and snowball sampling techniques. The collected data were analyzed thematically, against the backdrop of social constructionism and ecological theoretical frameworks. The findings show that the community relies on folk knowledge systems to predict weather patterns and to guide various water-related activities such as transportation, social interactions, and economic practices. The key indicators used for weather prediction include wind direction, water current conditions, time of day (day or night), locally named weather conditions, lightning flashes, and stars that are called by specific folk names within the community. Based on these observations, travelers adjust their routes and activities accordingly. Overall, the findings demonstrate that folk weather forecasting plays a vital role in shaping daily decision-making, from determining travel routes and boat selection to planning social and economic activities. This study contributes to understanding how folk ecological knowledge fosters resilience and adaptation in the face of changing climate conditions.

Framing public dissent: A comparative content analysis of local and international media coverage of the Ethiopian health professionals’ strike

Mekonnen Hailemariam Zikargae — 2026-01-31

This study investigated how local and international media outlets framed the 2025 Ethiopian health professionals’ strike, specifically the British Broadcasting Corporation's Amharic and the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation. Forty-five Purposively selected stories published over two months were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The study examined the tone, thematic emphasis, voice representation, and underlying ideological messages in news articles from media outlets. The study was guided by agenda-setting and framing theories. The study's findings show a stark difference between the two media outlets. British Broadcasting Corporation Amharic portrayed the strike as a rights-based protest rooted in socioeconomic conditions. In contrast, the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation framed it as disruptive and immoral, citing professional responsibility and government responsiveness. The two media outlets built the strike differently in their coverage. The Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation primarily represented government accounts but excluded the voices of health professionals. On the other hand, the British Broadcasting Corporation incorporated the voices of health workers and association leaders. The findings indicate that the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation framed the protest through human‑interest and rights‑based narratives, amplifying workers’ voices and legitimizing grievances. Moreover, the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation emphasized professional duty, national unity, and government responsiveness, silencing dissent. These divergent frames reflect media ownership, editorial independence, and political context in shaping public perception and policy discourse. The study contributes to understanding media power in politically controversial contexts and underscores the significance of pluralistic narratives in public health crises.

Artificial Intelligence and Media Convergence in Sub-Saharan Africa

Mekonnen Hailemariam Zikargae — 2026-01-24

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in digital media, print media, and broadcast media is transforming modern communication environments in terms of efficiency, customization, and creativity in storytelling. The research aims at exploring the convergent effects of AI in resource-constrained media environments in sub-Saharan Africa, with a special emphasis on Ethiopia. The study used a systematic literature review of 25 peer-reviewed research studies and a mixed-methods approach in gathering primary research data using a survey of 138 media professionals and 20 in-depth interviews. The results show an uneven adoption rate in the different sectors, with digital media showing the highest level of efficiency gains (M = 4.1/5), while print and broadcast actors are progressing slowly due to infrastructural constraints and a lack of skills. Despite these advancements, all sectors confront significant ethical concerns, including algorithmic bias, misinformation amplification, and the erosion of human editorial oversight. Converging with the convergence theory and the Technology Acceptance Model, the paper explores the factors that influence the acceptance of AI, including perceived usefulness, organizational readiness, and trust in automated systems. The analysis underscores the necessity of hybrid human–AI workflows, context-sensitive ethical guidelines, and targeted policy interventions to address persistent inequalities and safeguard media integrity. Through the lens of specific sociotechnical realities in Ethiopia, the study identifies the dual role of AI trends globally, namely, their role as disruptors and their role as catalysts for innovation. The research offers valuable insights to promote sustainable, inclusive, and ethical media transformation in the Global South.