Reception study on "Jihadawi Harakat" Documentary Film

Ethiopia is one of the first places Islam gained ground. Although situated next door to the cradle of Islam, known as "al-Ahbash", the leader of "al-Ahbash" came to Beirut from Ethiopia. In 2013 Ethiopia Television (ETV) aired a 'documentary' entitled "Jihadawi Harakat". The documentary film presented Muslims who allegedly tried to establish an Islamic government in Ethiopia. The documentary film also made reference to rising religious fundamentalism in the country. This study, in particular, attempted to investigate how audiences in Addis Ababa interpret the messages of "Jihadawi Harakat" documentary film, regarding Muslim issues. The findings of the study show that the meaning of the title of the documentary film is shows Islamic group movement to establish Islamic government, the documentary film is less credible and subjects in the documentary film are represented as terrorists and fundamentalists who threatened peace and development in the country but do not represent the Muslim society at all. The study also reveals that the documentary film has affected the social and religious stability in the country in many ways.

Autorentext

Henok Nigussie is lecturer and joined Journalism and Communication Department at Dilla University of Ethiopia in 2009. Previously he worked for the country ministry of communication affair in media monitoring department and freelancer on private newspaper. He completed his graduate studies with MA. from Addis Ababa University in 2013.