NYARUGENGE - Rwanda was the host of a two-day East African conference on media, dialogue, mutual understanding and reconciliation.

The conference which ends today at Serena hotel, Kigali comes just two weeks after the 15th anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Participants were urged to draw lessons from that darkest part of the history of the Rwandan media and to take precautionary measures that protect the fraternity and societies from hate media propaganda like that of the infamous RTLM and Kangura newspaper. The two actively called for the extermination of the Tutsi.

"I have no doubt that all of you know very well the negative role played by sections of our media during the Genocide,” Louise Mushikiwabo, the Minister of Information in the Prime Minister’s Office told the gathering.

She said that the Rwandan Government has taken tremendous steps in promoting freedom and responsibility of the media15 years after the Genocide.

"We’re mindful of the critical role the media can play in building and uniting societies.”

Mushikiwabo urged them not to be deterred from reporting such social evils like corruption, poor service delivery, and other bad practices.

She said that the media should serve as a vehicle for national and international dialogue, peaceful coexistence and development.

"The media must stay away and desist from fanning ethnic hatred and conflicts, but serve as agents of peace through objective reports and opinion.”

According to Mushikiwabo, the government of Rwanda has and continues to create an enabling environment for journalists. Among other things that the Government has done lately include establishment of a media training centre for practicing journalists in Kigali known as the Great Lakes Media Centre (GLMS), a media support fund is also about to be created, and a new media bill will soon be enacted into law.

Hezekiel Dlamini, the advisor of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) said that the organisation attaches great value to the positive role Rwanda is playing in addressing regional media issues.

Rwanda hosted the Media Conference of the Great Lakes Region last November.

Every year, the World Press Freedom Day provides an opportunity to affirm the importance of freedom of expression and press freedom-a fundamental human right enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

James Munyaneza the First Secretary of ARJ said that ARJ is in the process of transforming itself into a Union.

"This will be an opportunity for ARJ to modify and advocate for the local journalists,” he said.

Mushikiwabo assured the ARJ of continued Government support in promoting the freedom of the press in the country.

As set by the UNESCO, the theme of this year’s World Freedom Day is "Media, Dialogue, Mutual Understanding and Reconciliation”, the Minister said the theme was not only relevant to Rwanda but to other countries as well.

The workshop attracted participants from various parts of Africa, especially those constituting the Eastern Africa Journalists Association (EAJA).

Four key elements were discussed during the workshop and these included: The professional media: Effective tool for dialogue and reconciliation. Decent working conditions for journalists: Journalistic quality and freedom.

The media laws in Eastern Africa, a comparative analysis, culture of impunity and professional hazards, and the collective campaigning and advocacy strategy. 

The workshop was organised by Rwanda Journalists Association (ARJ) and supported by IFJ, in line with the World Press Freedom Day at the regional level.

At the national level, the event will be celebrated on May 9, at the National University of Rwanda.

Ends