The Rwanda Journalists Association (ARJ), will for the first time, monitor the media’s coverage of the forthcoming presidential elections.

According to a statement from ARJ, the objective of the monitoring is to assess the media’s performance in terms of fairness, transparency and independence during the election period.

ARJ President, Gaspard Safari, said that six election coverage monitors have already been identified and are currently undergoing training in preparation for the exercise. He added that they are all final year journalism students from the Rwanda National University (NUR) and the Catholic Institute of Kabgayi.

"The monitors will evaluate how the Rwandan media applies the principles of balanced, fair and ethical reporting,” Safari said.

The team will be coordinated by Peacemaker Mbungiramihigo, a journalism lecturer and former reporter, who is also a member of ARJ Executive Committee.

Safari explained that the monitors will produce a report that will be used as a reference document on how the Rwandan media covered the elections.

The process will be facilitated by a grant of $14,466 (about Rwf8.2 million) from the Rwanda Media Strengthening Project (RMSP).

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