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Introduction Ethiopian magazines had a shortage history, because of not established printing enterprises like Birhanena Selam huge printing press and also lately introduce other publishing technology. Under this title, we are trying to overview the recent three regimes, which are the Imperial, The Derg, and the EPRDF regimes respectively. From 1901- to 1974, the imperial regime includes the Pre, During and Post occupation periods, it is the founder of magazines history in our country. Their main goals were to serves as the monarchial system. The Revolutionary regime between 1974-1991 was the second period it shows some progress in print media and mainly focused on socialist ideology. The third and the most recent period from 1991 till now, which is the EPDRF regime, it shows somehow niche market to compare and contrast with the past two period and faces many challenges in terms of economic and political problems. For the fulfillment of this literature review, a book it’s titled “ The Quest for Press Freedom; one hundred years of history of the media in Ethiopia, by Meseret Chekol Reta” is take the lion share, and we would like to thank the Author Mr. Meseret. Instructor Dagim Afework from school of Journalism, was the one who borrowed us this incredible book for our literature review. We would like to Thanks also The Ethiopian broadcast Authority. It gives us the current magazines circulation and register to publish under the Authority, starting from February 2001 to 2009 E.C, which mention on the last pages. Pre Occupation 1901-41 During 1916-18, Belatengeta Heruye Wolde Silassie published a literary journal by the title “GohaTsebah”. …a monthly magazine, titled Kesate Birhan (the illuminator), was launched in Tahisas 1927 E.C, … its full titel Kesate Birhan lelibbe Tebiban (the illuminator for the wise in heart) it was published by the Bete Saida publication press, .…Its annual subscription rate was 3.25 birr per copy. …Ato Wolde Giogris Wolde Yehanis, the staff member of Birhanena Selam printing press also use to write articles in the magazine. Despite its popularity, Kesete Birhan magazine was irregular and sometimes issued once in three months. Discontinued upon Italy occupied the National City Addis in 1936, May. (page 40) The Greek community also starts to publish a weekly magazine called “Aithiopikos kosmos” (Ethiopian world). P.k vrennias from 1927 to 1931. (page 42) In 1936, two types of np & magazine published (private & government) published. … none of these newspapers and magazines were intended to serve “the forth state” role of the press, (43) During occupation(1936-41) A monthly magazine called “YeRoma Birhan” (light of Rome) appeared in the market in 1939. It was assumed to win the loyalty of Ethiopian people to the Italian colonial administration which make them out of backwardness and lead them in to “light” of modernization and civilization with a high circulation.(60 & 61) It masthead carried Mussolini’s saying, “Salvation is Rome’s impartial judgment and therefore one can find it in Rome.” Actually, the editor’s referred to this publication as a newspaper and not a magazine, … although it was published once a month and was between 80-100 pages long. (61) It also carried articles and poem on various topics, these include inauguration of newly built churches and school expansion of public service such as, the postal service, marriage ceremonies of high officials.(65) The Post occupation period (1941-74) …may 5, 1956 …Ethiopian observer had a magazine format although, it was registered by General Post Office as a newspaper. It was edited in Ethiopia and Britain but its editorial headquarter was in Addis Ababa. It was a 32 pages monthly magazine that deals with economics, history and the art concerning mainly Ethiopia. The emperor’s daily activity was highly covered in this magazine. (page 102) … the death of Sylvia in 1960, the editorship was taken by her son, Dr. Richard Pankhrust . In 1969, an English weekly magazine, “Addis reporter” was launched under the editorship of the renowned journalist and novelist, Bealu Girma. …Like Addis Sior and Ethiopian observer, Addis reporter couldn’t survive in market. In 1955 a monthly magazine called “Menen”, with similar status separate in both Amharic and English editions. None of these magazines including “Menene” were courageous enough to criticize the government. One distinct feature was, they focused on social affairs and criticized different traditional practices related to funerals, work ethics treatment of women, etc. Menene was able to continue its publications for a few more years under the private company called Alem public relations agency. This went on until it was closed down by military regime. The distribution process takes street venders and bicycle and motor cycle. The Era of Revolution (1974-91)Derg did a great job in this aspect, so much so that the literate of the population was raised significantly; UNESCO recognized this success by awarding the national literacy campaign a gold medal in the early 1980’s. As Derg consolidated its Marxist base, several publication of the old order that had not been under the direct control of the government was closed down. Among these, Menene magazine were mentioned…. (186) There were also 4 weeklies and 3 magazines. Two of these magazines were monthly while the third one was quarterly. (188) Also, three ideological magazines- Yekatit (february) Marxist Reiyot (Marxist ideology), and through lees frequently, Meskerem (September) began to published in the second half of 1970’s and early 1980’s. Yekatit : named after the popular uprising of 1974 which eventually led to over throw of the monarch, focused on national issue and historical events, drawing on depth interview, it had both Amharic and English edition. They were published in different intervals. Marxist Rey’ot: quarterly that promoted the socialist ideology. Most of its publication was translated from different ideological booklets, it was founded by a Prague (Czech Republic) based organization called world Marxist league. (190) The Ethnic Federalism (1991 up to now) To this day the print media in Ethiopia reaches a much smaller public than the broadcast media. …circulation of news paper and magazines among the remaining 83 % living in rural areas is severely affected by low rate of literacy. (238) …the Amharic weekly, Yezareytu Ityopya, folded in February 1996 together with a monthly magazine called Sendeq (“Flag”), the reason being rising cost of printing. (239) By 1991 the ruling party published 5 newspaper. Four of these were issued by EPRDF’s coalition parties. Among these were Weyin by TPLF and Mahitot by ANDM. (245) In 2007 EPRDF came up with a bi-monthly magazine called Addis Ra’iy (“New Vision”). The paper outlines the vision of ruling party in its growth & Transformation plan. Addis Ra’iy replaced by Abiyotawi Demokrasi as the organ of ruling party. Abiyotawi Demokrasi , downgraded to a bi-weekly, is now circulated only in Amhara and Southern states. (246) Publication year language frequency Berhanena selam 1942 amh monthly Metsihete ityopya 1946 Amharic EOTC Teklehaymanot Eastern media 1952 Italy & French monthly Ethiopian magazine 1952 English Zena betekiritian 1954 Amharic/ Ge’ez EOTC Menen 1955 Amharic monthly Kesate Birhan 1963 Amharic monthly Dimtse Tewahido 1963 Amharic EOTC Tinsa’Ae 1966 Amharic EOTC Addis Reporter 1969 English Weekly Ethiopian Mirror 1969 English Weekly Tsedey 1972 Amharic monthly Fikare Selam 1974 Amharic EOTC Yemisrach — Amharic monthly ((Mekan eyessu Lutheran church)
List of magazine published during the military regime.
- Abyotawit Ityopya 1976 weekly Amharic Addis Ababa
- Yekatit 1976 monthly Amharic Addis Ababa
- Yekatit 1979 quarterly English Addis Ababa
- Meskerem 1980 quarterly Amharic Addis Ababa
- Meskerem 1980 quarterly English Addis Ababa
- Meskerem 1981 quarterly Amharic Addis Ababa
Conclusion The semi-autonomous organizational structure of the press agency is certainly a step in the right direction in making government news paper and magazines self-supporting. However, there still leaves much to be desired in terms of financial autonomy, journalistic quality of the paper as well as the circulation size, distribution, and the use of advertising as a means of generating revenue. With the exception of the sport reporter, most journalists are still general assignment workers. Beat reporting is still limited. The newspapers and magazines like broadcast media and news agencies disseminate government propaganda rather than report objectively. That has created a major credibility gap between them and their readers. One major difference b/n the past two regime is that government newspaper and magazines have been facing competition from private press, particularly until the 2005 election. Therefore, they need to come up with a strategy whereby they can improve their quality of reporting at least maintain their readership. Team reporting, less convoluted (complicated) writing style and higher standard of editing could help in this respect.
