HUYE-Local leaders in the Southern Province were advised to work hand-in-hand with media institutions if they were to achieve their development objectives and promote good governance.

Patrice Mulama, the Executive Secretary of the Media High Council (MHC), made the call, Wednesday, during a meeting that brought together local leaders and police officers from Nyanza, Huye and Gisagara districts.

The one-day meeting focused on the rights and obligations of the media as well as the rights of the public in the media. It also tackled the importance of the media and its role in the development of society.

Mulama noted that it was vital for the local administration to be conversant with issues related to access and delivery of information, as a way of helping the society stay informed about what is taking place around them.

"Some leaders are still reluctant to release information and we have received complaints from journalists to that effect. However, we believe that leaders can benefit from the media if they work with journalists,” he said.

Mulama reminded the leaders that media is a backbone of democracy and development, stressing that without genuine collaboration between leaders and the media, it was very difficult for the society to grow.

"It(media) can help reach the population -whom leaders are serving - improve service delivery, transparency and most importantly, help them get feedback from the public,” Mulama added.

He appealed to journalists to be professional in their work and respect the journalistic values of truth, fairness and social responsibility.

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