The celebrations themed with; “Media Development and Sustainability”.
The festivities taking place at the Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village coincide with a reevaluation of media policies, with a significant aspect to be unveiled by the Ministry of Local Government.
Emmanuel Habumuremyi, the Executive Secretary of Rwanda Journalists Association (ARJ), emphasized that commemorating the African Day of Information represents a significant source of pride for them, highlighting their unwavering dedication to achieving excellence in journalism.
“We take pride in the unwavering dedication of Rwandan journalists who have consistently maintained the utmost levels of reporting integrity, thus playing a vital role in our society’s progress. Their narratives do more than just educate and inform; they also shed light on Africa’s abundant cultural heritage and principles. Today, we also commemorate the influential role of the independent media in crafting a favorable image of Rwanda and Africa worldwide.” Habumuremyi said.
Rene Anthere Rwanyange, a seasoned journalist and the Managing Editor at Panorama Media house, proposes that the Africa Day of Information serves as an occasion for media professionals, policymakers, experts, and academia to come together. On this day, they can collectively evaluate the progress made, deliberate on accomplishments, share experiences, address challenges, and chart a course for the future in the media industry.
He emphasizes that although there are existing laws, they must adapt to the ever-evolving digital landscape. These regulations should be harmonized with the digital age to fortify our profession. Furthermore, greater endeavors are necessary to ensure the strict adherence to journalistic ethics. Instances involving journalists suspected of breaching ethical standards should, in his opinion, first undergo scrutiny by journalist institutions like the Rwanda Media Commission before resorting to legal proceedings.
Rwanyange emphasized the importance of enhancing collaboration with both public and private institutions, highlighting the current lack of financial sustainability within the journalism and media sector. To address this issue, he called for the establishment of a media fund with lower interest rates and insurance coverage, stressing the need for journalists to work together. He also suggested that government intervention could play a supportive role in these efforts.
Placide Ngirinshuti, who leads the Rwanda Journalists for Sustainable Development (RJSD), reiterated journalists’ appreciation for the existing media regulations. Still, he expressed concerns about the disregard of the access to information law by authorities. He proposed the inclusion of penalties for individuals or entities that refuse to provide information, addressing this oversight in the law.