MEDIA FRAMING OF THE 3RD ROUND FILLING OF GERD: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF AHRAM ONLINE AND ETHIOPIAN HERALD NEWSPAPER

Abstract The purpose of the research was to do a comparative analysis of the media framing of the 3rd round filling of GERD by the Ethiopian Herald and Ahram online newspaper. The researcher has used the stories published from August 1st to September 1st of 2022 in both media outlets. For this study, three theoretical frameworks, namely framing theory, agenda setting theory, and the peace journalism approach, were used. 10 news stories from each media outlets have been selected. Textual analysis was the tool employed for data gathering. The findings of the study revealed that Ahram Online has dominantly utilized historical rights and conflict frames during the study period. The dominant frames communicated during the study period by the Ethiopian Herald were the natural rights frame, the development frame, the exclusion frame, and the mutual benefit frame. The findings of the study revealed that both media outlets have utilized a war-oriented approach during the study period, though the degree varies. The two media outlets reports regarding the two countries diplomatic relationship were undervalued. The phrases and words that have been utilized by both media outlets were undiplomatic. Based on the analysis, the researcher strongly recommends that building stories or media reports from a peace perspective so as to encourage peace initiatives and undervaluing the violent response to the conflict will be the cure to the ongoing dispute over GERD. It is also recommended that it would be excellent if the issue of GERD is closely monitored by the relevant bodies in the respective countries in order to eliminate any conflicts that may occur as a result of the media's unfavorable role.