Dear Editor,

Please allow me the opportunity to thank Rwandan journalists for the work they are doing in advancing their country. Practicing journalism anywhere in the world is not easy, but when it comes to Rwanda, it becomes even more difficult because of the history of our country. The emotions and feelings of our people are still raw since the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

However, as years come and go, Rwandan journalists have learnt how to work around such obstacles and have played a major role in uniting Rwandans, along the way. It is not uncommon to hear journalists complaining about how public officials are not forthcoming with information and yet they know that it’s the duty of the fourth estate to inform and educate.

I would like to appeal to public officials and everyone else to make access to information easier so that the journalists are able to do their job.

It is our general duty to make reporters’ job easier because their work is in the interest of the entire society. In case of, for instance, an accident, let us be forthcoming with witness accounts.

In particular, I urge public officials to open up and give information to media practitioners. The offices you are occupying are public, let the public know what you are doing and how they are benefitting because, in the end, they are the ones that pay your salaries.

Let’s not be mean with information because it belongs to the public.

Jane Uwanyiligira
Mihima