Challenges in Practicing Objectivity and other Ethical Issues in News Reporting: The Case of Oromia Broadcasting Network (OBN)

Abstract

This study explores journalists’ view on factors that affect their implementation of objectivity and other ethical issues in the context of the Oromia Broadcasting Network. The study was conducted based on qualitative data produced through in-depth-interview. The data used for the study were gathered from 17 purposely selected practitioners of OBN based on their experiences in the organization. The analysis wasestablished through social responsibility theoretical model which implicates to the loss of audiences as a result of the lack of objectivity and other ethical issues. The findings revealed that objectivity and other ethical issues in the OBN were given less attention in the news gathering, processing and reporting because of three major factors. The first one is professional issues that emanate from the shortage of journalistic trained manpower and lack of journalists’ independence. The other one is pressure groups that directly or indirectly affect objectivity and other ethical issues. The final one is the issues of news verification and selection of credible sources. Hence, practicing objectivity and other ethical issues have been challenges due to the various factors that influence their implementation.