KIGALI - As part of the World Press Freedom day celebration, owners of private media outlets have been urged to own the challenges they are faced with by seeking solution amongst themselves if the country is to have a vibrant private media.

The advice was given by the Minister of Cabinet Affairs and caretaker Minister of Information Protais Musoni on Friday during a consultative meeting between the Government and practitioners in private media to address challenges that hamper the growth of private media institutions.

Musoni pledged more support from government but urged members of private media particularly print, to confront the problems they are faced with since they know more than anyone else how their problems are and suggest solutions.

Addressing the concerns of private print media that Government institutions do not give them adverts, Musoni said that government has never stopped any of its institutions from giving private newspapers adverts apart from Umuseso, Umuvugizi and Umuco that vowed not to cover government programmes.

Among other issues raised, private media practitioners decried lack of capacity and financial means to compete favourably with government owned media. A call was made on government to facilitate private media practitioners to develop capacity and business skills.

The Minister urged journalists to merge their organs to form stronger institutions rather than work in smaller groups.

A committee of five journalists to work with the Media High Council to assess the problems faced by private media  was put in place and will present the findings which will tabled to cabinet.

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