Language in the media

Abstract This chapter describes how the social foundation of literacy in Ethiopia is entrenched in religion. It underlines that the requirement for education emanated from the institutional interests of churches and mosques. Being literate was synonymous with being clerical, as books and other written materials were almost exclusively on religious matters. The chapter also outlines the start of the production of books and reading materials in Ethiopian languages in the 19th century. It discusses the introduction of newspapers in the late 19th century by Europeans who started to print brief newsletters with a focus mainly on religion but also on Amharic and Tigrinya grammar. Ultimately, this chapter peeks at how journalism and the readership of print media started to grow as a result of improvements in literacy. The chapter also analyzes the expansion of printing presses in Ethiopia and a major change in language policy.