KIGALI - The Eastern Africa Journalists Association (EAJA) has welcomed the move by the government to leave the regulation of media to practitioners.

A recent cabinet meeting passed a resolution allowing media professionals to set up of a body to oversee media self regulation.

"We welcome the decision of the government of Rwanda to allow for the setting up of a self regulatory body to manage media matters in the country. This will promote freedom of the press,” said Omar Faruk, the Secretary General of EAJA.

Faruk urged the government to expedite the putting in place of a legal framework to establish the self regulatory body that would allow media professionals to manage their affairs and raise media standards in the country.

"The process of setting up the self-regulatory body will enhance media professionalism and credibility, hence the need for the government to act quickly and facilitate its being set up,” he said.

Although the regulatory duties will be in the hands of journalists, the Media High Council will continue to play the role of capacity building, advocacy and handle accreditation and issuance of press cards as the process to set up the self-regulatory body is initiated.

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