Framing inclusive education: the role of Ethiopian media outlets-a qualitative study of broadcast media professionals in the Somali regional state

Elyas Abdi Ismail, Selma KOÇ AKGÜL, Abdikadir Mohamed Abdile

Abstract


This paper examines the role of Ethiopian media in promoting inclusive education, focusing on how media personnel perceive, produce, and distribute content on disability and inclusion. The study addresses the persistent social misconceptions and negative stereotypes about individuals with disabilities, which remain strong in the Somali Regional State despite national and international inclusion efforts.

A qualitative research design was adopted to capture in-depth perspectives of media practitioners. Thirty semi-structured interviews were conducted with professionals from three media outlets-SRTV, Jigjiga FM, and SHAKAAL TV. Data were analyzed thematically using NVivo software.

The findings reveal that while media professionals recognize the media’s potential in shaping inclusive narratives, they face significant challenges including limited knowledge, editorial and financial constraints, and reliance on external sources such as government and NGOs for storylines.

The study’s insights are context-specific, limited to three regional media houses. However, they contribute to the broader understanding of how media practices can influence inclusive education discourse in developing contexts. The results call for continuous training, institutional support, and the reform of editorial policies to strengthen the media’s contribution to inclusion and public awareness. This study provides one of the first empirical analyses of the intersection between media and inclusive education in Ethiopia, highlighting media’s potential to transform public attitudes toward disability.


Received 14 November 2025

Accepted 24 January 2026

Published 08 April 2026


Keywords


Inclusive education, disability, media, Ethiopia, awareness, policy

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References


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DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21622/ILCC.2026.06.1.1797

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Copyright (c) 2026 Elyas Abdi Ismail, Selma KOÇ AKGÜL, Abdikadir Mohamed Abdile

Insights into Language, Culture and Communication

E-ISSN: 2812-491X

P-ISSN: 2812-4901

 

Published by:

Academy Publishing Center (APC)

Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT)

Alexandria, Egypt

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