RMC bridges between Gov and media

As the Rwanda Media Commission  has  new committee, a committee that has been elected to regulate working and ethical issues for a  professional journalism, journalists debated this Sunday on how this committee has been elected and what it intends to achieve in its second term for the benefit of journalists.

The debate took place into the studios of Radio Isango Star and Inkoramutima.

Among the guests into the show included Mr Kabagambe Ignatius ,The RGB representative in charge of media, Mr Barore Chreophas, the Vice chairperson of the RMC and Mr Gatera from Umwezi newspaper, a private print media.

The RMC is a self regulatory mechanism initiated by Rwandan government to help journalists build their capacities and have freedom on carrying out and assessing their professionalism, introduces Mr Kabagambe.

Regarding the elections of RMC members, Mr Gatera said that print media are not represented into the committee , something he considers unfair.

This organ does not represent any specific entity, be it government, or media as a  particular side  rather it stands as an advocating body for both sides depending on what the law governing our commission stipulates Mr Barore replies to Mr Gatera.

Mr Kabagambe considers  RMC as a  mature entity to regulate itself but which still needs back up assistance so to bring upon effective and responsive journalism to all Rwandans.

Rwandans are our main clients, so we all are here to serve them by combining all necessary and available means for  their satisfaction. The Government will keep on assisting  RMC  whenever necessary for the interests of Rwandans, Mr Kabagambe said.

The government has done a lot into promoting journalism through the setting up of policies that helped investment into private and public media, adds Mr Barore responding on the independence of media to regulate themselves.

We are now responsible on how we can use these opportunities to build up a professional journalism that involves and respects  everyone, affirms Mr Barore.

Mr Gatera was wondering how free this RMC will be as it has leaders who work for public media.

How can it be possible  to criticize your employer? asks Gatera referring  to RMC leaders who , as he says, work for public media.

His worries were shared by some listeners who intervened into the show, underling that print media do not have a strong voice  into the committee.

No worries about that! replies Mr Barore.C. Our main concern is to make sure both media and government  respect the  code of conduct that is ruling each side.All media category is part and parcel in our advocating activities.

We will be as inclusive and impartial as possible, Mr Barore, the Vice Chairperson of RMC assures journalists.

Let the new committee  have time to show that it is well motivated to advocate for  journalists ‘ concerns without any bias, advises Mr Barore to all skeptic people.

The show was about debating on its mission to advocate for journalists and regulate their working and ethical code.

This show is held with the philosophy to promoting debate in Rwanda on issues that concern Rwandans in general or issues of international level.

It is prepared by both IPP and ARJ and sponsored by the European  Union.

From next month, it will  change its normal schedule.Normally it was used to take place Sunday from 9h to 10 am but from the coming week it will start from 2:00 pm up to 3 pm, Sunday.

The current RMC committee comprises Mr Muvunyi Fred ,The Chairperson, Mr Barore Chreophas,the Vice Chairperson,Ms Ntirenganya Emma Claudine,the Secretary and Mr Prince Bahati.

It also has an advisory committee made up by Dr Nkaka Raphael, a university professor, Madame Ingabire Immaculee from Transparency International and Lawyer Laurent Nkongori  .

NIZEYIMANA Jean Pierre

UM– USEKE.RW