Members of the media fraternity elected Scovia Mutesi as the chairperson of Rwanda Media Commission (RMC) in a vote held on Friday, November 15.
The founder of the media house Mama Urwagasabo replaced Cleophas Barore, the Director General of Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA).
Mutesi ran unopposed after her only challenger, Anthere Rwanyange, the owner of Panorama news website, withdrew his candidacy.
She was elected for a three-year term.
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Journalists had voted Mutesi as a media member of the RMC Board, along with Rwanyange, and Philbert Ngirinema of Igihe and Xavera Nyirarukundo of RBA.
Jean Pierre Uwimana, a lecturer at the Univeristy of Rwanda’s School of Journalism and Communication, was re-elected as Vice Chairperson, while Nyirarukundo was elected the secretary of the board bureau.
"It is a great honour to take on these responsibilities, which have been held so professionally by Cleophas Barore. Replacing him is both a challenge and an opportunity,” said Mutesi.
"I am committed to upholding his standards and striving for even greater achievements. As journalists, we must work together to enhance professionalism. Let us make journalism a career to be proud of,” she added.
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Other non-journalist members of the board include Audace Ngabo Muhirwa, representing the Rwanda Bar Association; Liberata Gahongayire, representing Rwanda Civil Society.
The outgoing Chairperson Barore congratulated the new team and reflected on his term in office.
"We did our best to represent the commission locally and internationally. We were always available to support journalists and worked hard to build trust between the commission, journalists, and citizens,” Barore said.
He wished the new board success.
He also acknowledged the challenges faced during his tenure but expressed pride in what the commission achieved. "We operated during difficult times, but we persevered. I urge everyone to continue placing their trust in the RMC,” he concluded.
Established in 2013, the RMC is a self-regulatory body tasked with promoting journalistic freedom, enforcing media ethics, and fostering public trust in the press.
The commission’s board oversees its operations, ensuring it remains a reliable and ethical institution that upholds the principles of press freedom and professionalism.