At a time when the media industry is witnessing impressive reforms, the Media High Council (MHC) is in the process of putting in place a Media Development Index.

According to MHC officials, the index is for the purposes of quantifying media development, by highlighting strengths and weaknesses within the profession. A Civil Society organization, Transparency Rwanda, has taken up the responsibility to develop the index.

This is an important step that will help monitor and evaluate the media industry’s development both qualitatively and quantitatively.  Importantly, the index is a vital tool for all stakeholders in the media, be it practitioners or policy makers, both in state institutions and civil society as well as development partners, to understand what has been achieved in the media and what is needed.

Since the liberalization of the media, there has been tremendous development in the industry, but some of the developments and the challenges that come with such rapid change, including the proliferation of radio stations, have not been highlighted as is needed. 

Therefore, with the media development index, stakeholders will be able to make informed decisions and choices with regard to what is needed to further improve the professionalism and the infrastructure of the media industry.

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