Madda Walaabuu Media Foundation’s Editorial Policies

“We aim to tell stories from an Oromo point of view and deal with issues that are important to Oromo and Oromia.”

1.  Introduction

This document incorporates the editorial values, guiding principles, approaches to programming and editorial practices of the Oromo Voice Radio. The performance measures, feature perspectives and program content and description are also indicated sequentially.

1.1         Background

The Oromo Voice Radio (OVR) is an independent bilingual media outlet broadcasting to Oromia and the Horn of Africa. It is owned and operated by the Madda Walaabuu Media Foundation (MWMF), which is founded by the concerned Oromo and registered in 2013 in Washington, DC, USA. The radio broadcasts its programs at the frequency of 17850 kHz in the 16 meter band.

Under the umbrella of the board of directors of the MWMF, the daily activities of the OVR are delegated to the executive body of the foundation. Under the direction of the executive director the outlets are run by the journalists (editorial board).

Hence, to meet the set code of conduct of the MWMF and to fulfill the rules, principles and standards of international media outlets, the OVR has set its own governing and guiding editorial policy. The principal aim of this policy is to help the OVR provide program contents that fulfill the purpose and mission of the MWMF at high standards.

Under the guiding principles of the MWMF, this editorial policy also specifies how the OVR programs need to be shaped; interprets broadcasting mandate and provides decision making framework for editorial staff.

Furthermore, the editorial policy of OVR is intended to be applied with due regard to the nature of the content under consideration in particular cases. The Oromo Voice Radio is conscious of its dual obligations– accountability and high quality that can practically interact in complex ways.  The policy is applicable not only to the radio programs, recording, producing and broadcasting but also to all the services on its website, social media, by short message service (SMS) and/or by mobile phone that could be produced by the OVR staff and MWMF members.