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Despite the constitutional freedoms they are granted, Ethiopian media are still hampered by various factors. One of the multifaceted challenges impacting the independent operations of Ethiopian media is coming from political officials. Whereas political actors and parties are supposed to be guardians of freedoms of expression and of the press; these same organs, in some cases, become major hindrances on the independent operations of the media. The preferential treatment bestowed to the state media by political officials seems to have ironically backfired and hampered the media s independent role for the national democratization efforts. The private media in comparison, despite the pressures exerted on it is performing much better. It is this paradox the book, which is organized in a way providing an insider s look into the operations of Ethiopian media, illustrate. Thus the book is believed to give an additional perspective and impetus for professionals, scholars, researchers and policy makers in the fields of media, communications, democracy, political sciences and related disciplines in particular.

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Before receiving his M.A. degree in Journalism and Communications from Addis Ababa University in 2008, Yetnayet Kebede has served various Ethiopian media organizations. Currently he is working as media and communications consultant and documentary film producer.

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