The Media High Council (MHC) started a week long training of Rwandan editors to build capacity of Rwandan journalists. The training is funded through the Deepening Democracy and Accountable Governance programme of UNDP.

At the opening ceremony, the Executive Secretary of the Media High Council, Mr. Peacemaker Mbugiramihigo, underscored the power of the media to change the world, and thus “the media editors should be well equipped with skills and knowledge to inform, educate and entertain their target audience.” 

The workshop was organised under the new mandate of MHC - capacity building of the media. The training is based on a curriculum developed by MHC following a needs assessment of the print media.

Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Auke Lootsma, the Country Director of UNDP, emphasized why UN supports initiatives like this training by linking editing to democracy building. “Editing, [therefore], is not just a routine process. It is as well a conscious process that must add value to the struggles and aspirations of citizens,” he said.

“In other words, from a democratic perspective, what you are doing is not just disseminating information, but doing it in such a way that the news or the information empowers citizens in a process of democracy building,” he added.

The print and online media editors are the target of the first in a series of two trainings, the other being for the broadcasting media editors (radio and TV). The workshop was attended by 24 participants, 11 being print media and 14 from online media.  The broadcasting editors’ workshop will be held on 26th – 28th March.

The Government of Rwanda introduced a package of media reforms as part of deepening democracy in the country.  The different components of these reforms include the law regulating the media which led to the establishment of the Rwanda Media Commission as the media self-regulatory body, the access to information law, the law outlining the new functions and responsibilities of the MHC, and the law transforming the state broadcaster into a public service broadcaster.  

“There is no doubt that these reforms capture this view of the media as a process through which citizens are empowered to be active players in the democratic process,” Mr. Lootsma said.

During the sessions, participants showed great enthusiasm to learn and highlighted the need to update their editing skills as well as their understanding of the link between editors and the journalists’ code of ethics. The course is designed in such a manner that it takes editors back to the basics of editing and the dos and don’ts, addressing the basic questions of the 5Ws and 1H ( Who, What, Where, When and How).

In the end, Mr. Mbugiramihigo thanked the participants and promised to continue supporting the capacity building of the media towards vibrant and professional media in Rwanda.