Ghion Television (GTV) Editorial policy

1-Background
Ghion Television (GTV) is a media that advocates for the survival of the Amhara people
by refuting the false narrative that was preached against Amhara by different anti
Ethiopia forces for decades. Hence, we are establishing Ghion Television (GTV) to
address the information gap in exposing the government sponsored genocide and
advocate towards equality, bringing justice and accountability for all the crimes being
committed against humanity.
The general objective of establishing this media is to be a voice to the voiceless people
who are a victim of silent genocide for decades and facing existential treat in the 21st
Century. Specific objectives include:
a. To establish a well-founded and authentic media platform through satellite
television and short-wave radio stations. All or some of the programs streamed on
Ghion Television outlets will also be shared on different social media platforms such
as YouTube, Facebook, tweeter, etc.
b. To serve as a reliable source of information for the Amhara community by providing
accurate and timely information.
c. To serve as a domain/an umbrella for Amhara affiliated medias by providing airtime
for YouTube &/or other online medias. Specific rules, regulations and respective
responsibilities will be outlined when a TOR is prepared for each entity.
d. To produce and/or broadcast documentary videos focusing on Amhara’s culture,
history, and current affairs. It will also produce and/or broadcast entertainment and
educational programs targeting young Amhara’s in general and diaspora Amharas in
particular.
e. To design an internship and/or apprenticeship program to young Amharas who wish
to build a career on media.
f. To serve as a platform that promotes intellectual discussions.

 1- Editorial policy

This editorial policy is based on the American legal framework and will serve as a
foundation document for Ghion Television (GTV) overall work plan and specific
programs such as news, educational programs & documentaries, entertainment, and
other programs.
Ownership
* Owned by Minalachew Simachew Yeshiwas.
* All equipment (Audio, video) are the property of the Ghion Television (GTV) station.
Language
* Amharic will be the working language.
* All programming will be in Amharic. However, programs in other Ethiopian/foreign
languages
will also be used.
* Programming in other Ethiopian languages will be produced when funding becomes
available.
* Ghion Television will use all universally accepted terms in its programming.
Code of Operation
* All programming will be authorized by Managing Director who is the Editor-In-Chief of
Ghion Television.
* Ghion Television can provide air time to a third party in accordance with its contract.
* Ghion Television will strictly abide by all intellectual property rights.
* Ghion Television provides accurate, timely, and balanced, news, educational and  entertainment programs based on the fundamental principles of journalism.
* Balance and impartiality are the basic pillars of the institution.
* Ghion Television focuses on issues related to the Amhara people, Ethiopia, and the
Horn of Africa.
* Diversity of thought is a primary value of the media. Different and/or opposing ideas
will be accommodated. Discussions and debates on different ideas will be promoted.
* There will be no programs designed to support or specifically benefit any political
organization, group, religious institution, or group of any kind.
* All Journalists and support staff are entitled to their political opinions but they should
make sure these must not be reflected in their programs.
* If a program that targets individuals, nations or religious institutions is presented in
any of the programs presented by Ghion Television, the institution will investigate the
situation, apologize and takes the necessary responsibility. The media will also make
sure that the employee who works on that specific program will take responsibility and
learns a lesson.
* Ghion Television strongly fights against any kind of activities that endanger the
country and people. It also works against any hateful activities that incite conflict
between ethnic groups.
It plays a constructive role in building a democratic Ethiopia that treats all its citizens
equally

General Programming

* Regular News will be aired at specified time and should be announced to the public.
* News broadcasts will be measured on the basis of its factual content, information,
educational value, and its ability in redeeming social security to the general public.
* Extraordinary events could be presented for their entertainment value.
* All sources should be strictly checked for veracity. 
 * Documents presented as evidence should be double checked for accuracy.
* News presented should adhere to the highest standards of quality and
professionalism.

Breaking News

* Will be presented as required.
* Every effort will be exerted to check for accuracy and authenticity.
* The final decision for the breaking news to be aired or broadcasted is the editor in
chief.

News Analysis

* Analysis on the vital news topics of the day should follow immediately thereafter.
* The analysis should be objective and well balanced.
Feature Stories (In-depth Analysis)
* An in-depth analysis backed by well researched/ well documented materials (politics,
economics, history or social issues).
* Stories should not reflect the views of any political party. However, representatives of
political parties can appear on the show as guests to discuss the chosen topics.
* The station is obligated to protect the privacy of its sources.
Panel Discussions
* Discussions on a broad range of pertinent issues (political, economic, social) covering
a wide spectrum of views.
* The forum will be open to all groups provided they meet the strict requirements of
engaging in
civil, constructive, objective and intelligent discourse.
* The host of the program will make every effort to give equal time to all the diverse
views. 
 * The rules of engagement will be clearly set by the host.
* The host has to be well prepared and knowledgeable about the subject matter.
* Ghion Television will cover the expenses of invited guests when necessary.
* Guest hosts, provided they meet the station’s requirements can be invited to host
programs.
* The station reserves the right to repeat any programming on its merits or at the
request of the
public.
* The station is not obligated to give any audio or video copies to panelists or any other
third
party.
* The discussion could be live via satellite connection.
Interviews
* All interviews will be conducted in Amharic or English when broadcasted to viewers.
* They have to meet the station’s guidelines.
* The station is not obligated to offer a copy off its program, whether audios and videos
to
participants or any third party.
* A deliberate confrontational or argumentative interview to grab media attention will
not be aired.
* The station reserves the right to cut off live interviews when such incidents take place.
* Interviews can be conducted live via satellite.
* Ghion Television hosts will address its guests as dictated by Ethiopian cultural norms
(Mr/Mrs/Dr/Prof/Ato).
 
 Entertainment Programs

Music

* Ghion Television will broadcast music in various languages.
* Cultural programs will have a dedicated air time.
* Any music will be strictly examined to avoid culturally or religiously offensive material.
* The Music show will need to entertain as well as promote love, peace, harmony,
encourage unity
and build a strong sense of community.
* Any music that promotes ethnic/religious/gender strife will not be broadcasted.
Films/ Theatres/ Comedy Shows (cultural, historical, educational, entertainment)
* Films shown have to be produced in Amharic or English or can be translated in
Amharic or English.
* Preference is given to films that are empowering, positive and with an overarching
theme of personal and societal responsibility, good citizenship that will help build a
strong community and strong country.
* Films shown as a mini-series should be inclusive with a mass appeal to attract a large
audience.
* Culturally/religiously offensive films will not be shown on Ghion Television.
* Movies that glorify selfishness, greed, hate and cruelty will not be shown.
* All films produced should maintain a high standard of audio and visual quality.
* Ghion Television accepts documentary films produced in other languages but cannot
air them unless they are translated into Amharic.
* Any film that counteracts the overall vision and mission of the station will not be aired.
* Documentary films that do not impart a clear message or do not have a compelling
social value will not be aired. 
* Documentary films once produced become the property of Ghion Television and the
station reserves the right to give the film to the participants or any third party.
Sports Program
* All sport programs will be broadcasted in Amharic, even if they were produced in other
languages.
* Football, track and field and other sport programs to be broadcasted should have
mass appeal. Ghion Television will not broadcast any sport events that lacks good
sportsmanship.
* Comments or analysis of sport events has to be professional.
* Ghion Television produced programs are the sole property of the station. The station
reserves the right not to turn over the contents of the program to participants or any
other third party.
* The quality of programming has to maintain the highest standards of professional
quality.
Formal Retraction
* Ghion Television will take immediate action to correct errors.
* A formal apology, verbal or written will be issued to the aggrieved party. (Individual,
group or government)
* If there is no aggrieved party, the apology will be issued to the viewers.

2. Values and ethical principles

i. Objectivity

Ghion Television is a private media that advocates for the Amhara people in particular
but also for Ethiopians in general. Ghion Television is not affiliated to any political party.
The primary objective of Ghion Television is to promote Amhara issues through an
original and fearless journalism about what matters and should matter to the Amhara
people, how the Amhara people got here and ways forward. Ghion Television seeks to  entertain, challenge, debunk, provoke, and untangle all ideas that is consistent with the
interest of the Amhara people. Ghion Television informs and impowers it’s audience by
telling pressing facts and stories that others cannot or will not.

ii. Participatory

Ghion Television seeks to be the leader in the voice and ear for the Amhara people. The
issues and interests of the Ethiopia in general and the Amhara people in particular are
paramount to Ghion Television. Hence, Ghion Television aspires audiences, particularly
Amharas, are not just audiences like any other media, but they participate freely and
sustainably in sharing knowledges and perspectives, support it with a spirit of
ownership and see it with a sense of belonging. It focuses on the Amhara’s social,
political, and economic issues. Ghion Television will be a platform for people Amhara
and all Ethiopian to speak directly on the issues that concerns them. We believe that
public participation is a key to find a lasting solution for any issue in a community.

iii. Responsibility

We take full responsibility and liability for the content of any news or programs that are
prepared and transmitted in accordance with our editorial policy. We ensure public
services by making leaders, officials, and representatives responsible for public
representation and accountability at all levels to respond to public issues with clear
explanations and solutions.

3- Editorial committee

There will be a senior editorial committee to enforce the editorial policy. The Editorial
The committee shall have an Editorial Conference on a daily basis. The Editorial Committee
is a body that supervises, coordinates, and controls the editorial activities carried out by
Ghion Television. The committee works on the institution's strategic and annual plans
based on the performance and evaluation of its work as well as the Broadcasting Act,
the institution's editorial policy, the sector's work performance manuals, various current
national and international conditions. Members of the Ghion Television Editorial
The committee will be the Editor in chief, the head of the News and the program director 

 The Editor in chief is the head of the editorial committee