NYARUGENGE - The Minister of Information in the prime minister’s office Louise Mushikiwabo has raised concern that media in Great Lakes Region need to be equipped financially to fully cover issues in the Region.

In her opening remarks, the minister told the participants in the first three-day media conference that started at Serena Hotel yesterday, that media in the region has not fully told their stories due to problems they face including financial constraints.

"Conflicts in the western DR Congo have been mostly largely reported by international media like the BBC, CNN and Aljzeela more than the local media,” Mushikiwabo said while addressing the participants.

Mushikiwabo was quick to say that the media however, not only they need finance but also need to be trained in media ethics and to work professionally.

She added that challenges in the media can be over come if journalists are working under their ethics and professionally because media play a big role in the development of any nation.

Mushikiwabo added that responsible media can contribute to sustainable peace in the region. She however noted that the people have not yet understood the role of the media in the development of the country hence becoming a stumbling block to free and safety journalism.

The Minister also expressed her feeling towards having freedom of press and freedom of expression in Rwanda saying that Rwanda does not believe in violence against journalists. She added that government of Rwanda is committed to come up with a system to tell the population what happens in the region.

The first three-day media conference at Serena Hotel focused on challenges of media development, promoting media freedom and professionalism in the Great Lakes member states. It has been organized by International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), with Rwanda High Council of the Media.

The conference was also co-organized by Panos Institute, UNESCO, International Media Support and Media Foundation of Ghana.

The objective is to discuss in depth the management of Information and Communication in the Great Lakes Region to provide freedom of expression and opinion, freedom of the media to collect and disseminate information and ideas among others.

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