As journalists in Rwanda yesterday joined the rest of the world in commemorating the World Press Freedom Day, the head of the media council called for celebrations of the achievements registered in the industry.

The Executive Secretary of the Media High Council, Patrice Mulama said that despite the bad history the media in the country went through, it has come a long way in improving  its credibility.

"It is a day for us to celebrate what we have already achieved in terms of media freedom and to reflect on what we are yet to attain. I therefore wish to congratulate all journalists on this day,” said Mulama during a telephone interview yesterday.

He added: "Freedom comes with responsibility. Media managers and editors should ensure that this is respected and past mishaps collected.”

Mulama called upon Rwandans to be supportive in the functioning of the media, by providing information to the journalists who work hard to ensure transparency and accountability at all levels in society.

In a separate interview, the president of the Rwanda Journalist Association, Gaspard Safari, joined in to congratulate all journalist and media managers for all that was done to ensure media freedom in Rwanda.

Safari said that the UNESCO designated theme for the day is both patent and relevant for all journalists in this region.

"This year’s topic focuses on potential of media in fostering dialogue, mutual understanding and reconciliation. It’s a good time for us as the media to actively look back at our role not only in this country but in the region,” Safari remarked.

He observed that the just concluded regional media conference was core in reinforcing the role of media in the region.

Rwanda played host to a two-day regional conference on media, dialogue, mutual understanding and reconciliation.

The conference which ended yesterday came just two weeks after the 15th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

"This day comes at a very critical stage of media freedom law development. We have already forwarded our recommendations for the bill and I am confident they will be looked into” Safari concluded.

The controversial legislation that was passed by both chambers of the parliament has not yet been promulgated into law by the President following controversies that arose because of some of the articles that were seen as an impediment to the practice.

According to Safari, local journalists are scheduled to go to the Southern Province for yet another media conference on May 9 under the same theme.

World Press Freedom Day was established by UNESCO with a fundamental principle of evaluating press freedom.

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