KIGALI - The process of shifting the responsibility to regulate the media from the government to practitioners, gained momentum yesterday when an eight-member committee was set-up to oversee the process.

The committee was selected at a meeting organised by the Ministry of Information, and will be headed by Jean Bosco Rushingabigwi. It will be charged with putting in place structures of a media professionals’ body that will act as a regulator.

Others on the committee include Arthur Asiimwe Christopher Kayumba, Emile Murekezi, Latifah Akimana, Louis Kamanzi, Nelson Gatsimbazi, and Shyaka Kanuma.

Speaking at the meeting, the caretaker Minister of Information, Protais Musoni, said that the committee had the mandate to put in place a structure for the body through wider consultations of the media fraternity.

"You have to think about adopting articles of association for the body, internal regulations as well as setting up a code of ethics to guide the body,” said the minister.

Musoni also urged the committee to expedite the process and keep both the media fraternity and the public abreast with the developments.

He noted that the media should take the lead in such processes, the same way other professional bodies go around their business. He cited, doctors, lawyers and engineers as examples of professionals who, through their associations, have managed to regulate their fields.

Musoni pledged the government’s support should the media deem it necessary.

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