GASABO - In a bid to efficiently manage and regulate the media sector, the Ministry of Information has handed over a big percentage of its media-related roles to the Media High Council (MHC).

Patrice Mulama, the Executive Secretary of MHC ,signed the handover with Ignatius Kabagambe, the Director General of the Ministry of Information (MININFOR) during a function that took place on Thursday at the ministry’s offices in Kimihurura.

"The media High Council will now handle over 80 percent of the media matters and also be a one stop centre for people who want registration as well as issuing operating licenses for the media houses,” Mulama explained after the handover.

He added that the Council will endeavor to promote professionalism in as well as try to create a conducive environment to enable journalists operate efficiently.

Kabagambe explained that the Ministry will now have a lighter load of duties and will perform as an overlooking and consultative body and also a government policy implementing organ.

"The new responsibilities make the Media High Council a stronger regulatory organ with the powers to implement policies as well as create laws unlike in the past,” Kabagambe further clarified.

The council assumes new roles at a time when it has finalized a draft of the access to information act that is aimed at easing the work of practicing journalists in the country.
 
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