Attitudes and perceptions of media towards hand ball game in the case of Ethiopian male handball premier league

Abstract

This paper has examined the attitudes and perceptions of TV sport journalists in covering Male handball premier league Game that have received very little or no attention was given in academic studies in Ethiopia. Qualitative research methods, cross-sectional research design were applied, both available and purposive sampling techniques for data collection. Samples taken for this study were all managers of HBP clubs, n=10, coaches n= 10, Ethiopian handball federation experts n=7, Sport journals n=7, Total participants N=34, both primary and secondary data sources were used, document analysis secondary data, semi structured interviews and focus group discussion (FGD). Qualitative data were analyzed by the researcher based on research questions .Data was tape recorded and fully transcribed by verbatim. Transcripts were coded, categorized and analyzed using thematic analysis based on the research questions. Quantitative analysis of Descriptive statistics with SPSS version 20 was used for participants’ bio data. According to the semi structured interview results sport journalists tend to write stories, which were exposed to incline on the athletics and football sport, the group response shows that lack of cooperation, continuous pressure and relationship with handball federation and sport’s Medias, handball experts, off icials and government made in depth reporting di ff icult for TV sports journalists. Similarly, the document analysis result depicts that even though the hand ball federation has smart national sport policy for handball premier league clubs and projects through the country there is serious limitations in terms of practice and Government and stalk holders have to fulfill adequate and quality sport facilities for EHBP sport clubs expansion.