The practice and challenges of investigative journalism on OBN ‘caayaa’ program in focus

Abstract

This Research was conducted to analyze the practice and challenges of investigative journalism in Oromia Broadcasting Network (OBN) on case of “caayaa” investigative television program. Qualitative research approach was employed to conduct the study. In depth interview with eight target sample respondents and systematically selected five investigative programs broadcasted during the last year in 2022 were collected and content was analyzed to address the research objectives. Social responsibility and watchdog role of media theories were used as theoretical framework to perform the study. The study found “Caayaa” investigative television program in OBN practicing investigative journalism mainly focusing on issues of public and national concern. However, the investigation is found to be Shallow and lacked in-depth research to reveal the possible hidden facts. The program uses complains from the community as a major source of issues to be investigated. The good practice of the program is making governmental officials to be accountable for their respective offices. Challenging the stakeholders and making the actors accountable exposing the crime and making impact in policy, administration or public debate and support public complaint and claims with factual based investigation were found as the major success of the program. Caayaa program is mainly concerned with investigating governmental organizations. But there a lot of institutions to be investigated like non-governmental, private institutions, religious organizations, individuals and so on. Absence of guaranteed protection for investigative journalists, investigative reporter’s limited access to information, and lack of sufficient man power and shortage of time to conduct an in-depth investigation were found as factors challenging the practice of investigative journalism in OBN media station. Investigative reporting requires depth analysis as well as time consuming work. Therefore, OBN media station should give time for the program from planning to report the end result.