Investigating Journalistic Freedom in The Newsroom: The Case of ETV News Channel
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Date
2024-10-23
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Journalistic freedom is crucial for shaping public discourse and fostering an informed society. As a prominent state-owned media organization in Ethiopia, ETV News Channel holds significant influence over information dissemination. However, concerns regarding journalists' ability to exercise their freedom within the ETV newsroom necessitate a closer examination. This thesis examines the issue of journalistic freedom within ETV, exploring the current state of journalistic independence, identifying challenges faced by journalists, and assessing the implications for media autonomy in Ethiopia. A mixed-methods research design was utilized, encompassing qualitative methods such as in-depth interviews with journalists, Editors and Manager, as well as quantitative methods through a survey questionnaire administered to ETV journalists. The sample size for the survey included 70 journalists, while 7 in-depth interviews were conducted with editors, producers, and manager. The findings indicate that journalistic freedom is significantly constrained within the ETV newsroom. Various factors contribute to these limitations, including government interference, pervasive self-censorship among journalists, and professional restrictions. Furthermore, the study highlights the disparity in levels of journalistic freedom across different news segments, with hard news experiencing more constraints compared to soft news. To address these concerns and enhance journalistic freedom, several key recommendations are proposed. First, ETV should establish a conducive and empowering work environment that encourages journalists to express their opinions without fear of censorship or retribution. Second, promoting a culture of independent journalism within the organization is imperative. This can be achieved by ensuring transparent and inclusive guidelines for content monitoring and decision-makingprocesses.