Unpacking the Epistemology of Ethiopian Digital Journalism: An Exploration of News-Making Practices

The study aims to explore the epistemological underpinnings of news reporting in Ethiopian digital journalism, drawing on the context of 57 Ethiopian Media Authority (EMA)-registered digital platforms. Taking social epistemology as an analytical framework, the study draws on rigorous, in-depth qualitative interviews with journalists and experts from EMA to make sense of the epistemic position of journalists and the practice of digital journalism more broadly. The results highlight epistemological shifts, including the prevalence of sensationalism and click-baiting, the dominance of undiversified voices and perspectives, the subjective-pole and analytical model of news reporting, market-driven agenda setting, and echo chambering and polarization in Ethiopian digital media journalism. The finding urges policymakers, media regulators, and journalism educators to collectively address these challenges to uphold the integrity and credibility of the news media and to ensure that digital platforms fulfill their democratic role of fostering an informed and engaged citizenry.