Oromia Broadcasting Network (OBN) is a prominent regional broadcaster in Ethiopia, headquartered in the capital, Addis Ababa, and serving as the official voice of the Oromia Regional State. The network operates both radio and television channels, delivering programming in 14 Ethiopian languages, including Afan Oromo, Amharic, Tigrigna, and Somali, as well as in three international languages—English, Arabic, and French. Its multilingual reach positions it as one of Ethiopia’s most linguistically diverse broadcasters.
Media assets
Television: OBN
Radio: OBN Radio
State Media Matrix Typology
State-Controlled (SC)
Ownership and governance
OBN is administered by the Oromia Radio and Television Organization (ORTO), a government entity established under Proclamation No. 113/2006 by the Oromia Regional Government. Initially named the Oromia Mass Media Organization (OMMO), it was restructured and rebranded as ORTO in 2011 through Proclamation No. 164/2011.
Despite claims of institutional autonomy, ORTO functions squarely under the aegis of the regional administration, with its leadership typically appointed by the Oromia regional cabinet. As of mid-2025, no changes in ORTO’s governance structure or legal framework have been reported. The organization’s executive board remains politically appointed, raising long-standing concerns about lack of editorial independence and institutional neutrality.
Source of funding and budget
ORTO operates as a publicly funded entity, though its budgetary details remain opaque. According to several Oromia-based journalists interviewed between March and April 2024, OBN receives 100% of its financial support from the Oromia Regional Government. No independent financial disclosures or audit reports have been released to the public.
There is no available data on OBN’s revenue generation, such as advertising income or commercial sponsorships. Attempts to diversify income streams appear limited, and efforts to introduce licensing fees have not been publicly discussed or implemented as of 2025.
Editorial independence
OBN is widely regarded as the communications arm of the Oromia regional government, operating less as a journalistic institution and more as a political megaphone. Journalists familiar with the network describe a newsroom culture heavily influenced by political messaging, top-down editorial directives, and routine censorship.
Programming routinely amplifies government priorities, regional leader speeches, and development narratives, while critical perspectives, opposition voices, and investigative reporting are conspicuously absent. During politically sensitive moments—including election cycles, protests, and regional security crackdowns—OBN’s editorial tone has closely mirrored official Oromia government positions.
As of June 2025, there are no laws or statutory guarantees in place to safeguard the editorial independence of OBN or its parent body, ORTO. Likewise, no independent regulatory body has been established to oversee the broadcaster’s adherence to journalistic standards or balance in coverage.
June 2025