The just concluded summit of Heads of State of the East African Community (EAC) has commended an initiative by journalists in the bloc to form a body that will represent their interests and play a more robust role in highlighting the integration agenda.The idea was mooted mid last month by 25 journalists, shortly after concluding a three-day training work-shop on conflict reporting, held in Bujumbura, Burundi.

The journalists’ initiative was born out of the need to address among others the problems of lack of consistent coverage, irresponsible  reporting that does not take care of the greater goal of enhancing regional cooperation and insufficient depth in coverage.The formation of an East African Regional Journalists Network (EARJET), it was agreed, would seal many of these loopholes.Among others, the journalists acknowledged the need to start a network and a unique online publication that will be a rich source of fresh news and information on issues to do with the EAC.To fast track the project, the journalists elected an interim leadership comprising Isaac Mwangi (chairperson) and Florence Apolot (deputy chairperson), from Kenya and Uganda, respectively."We highly welcome and appreciate the leaders’ praise. It’s our joy to tell the EAC story. It is time we told the real EAC story to create an environment safe for investment and development of our people in the region,” Apolot told this paper on Sunday."Our role in the integration process should not be limited to covering events. We want to be engaged in the entire process such that we give our society first hand information,” she added. "What is important now is to ensure that the community comes with concrete action, not just words ,” said Dismus Lyassa, a Tanzanian journalist."Our leaders have shown a good gesture, so we journalists as well have to evaluate the way we work. For example, the issue of coalition of the willing, in my opinion, is due to lack of information. So, let us unite,  be open and increase awareness programmes,” he added.