The Political Committee of parliament on Tuesday proposed that all journalists practicing in Rwanda should have minimum qualifications in journalism.

Addressing a session of Parliament Tuesday, the committee chairperson, MP Bernadette Kanzayire said that journalists currently practicing in Rwanda be allowed a three year grace period to acquire the relevant qualifications in journalism.

"The government set up a school of journalism to ensure that all media

practitioners acquire the relevant qualifications" Kanzayire said.

Kanzayire explained that the practicing journalists who have qualifications in other fields should also get the required qualifications in the field.

However, some members of parliament expressed scepticism saying that it was not realistic.

Aaron Makuba said that given the level of education of most of the practicing journalists in the country, it may not be possible for all journalists to get the required qualifications.

Parliament also heard from the committee that the government has set up a school of journalism in the country with the aim of professionalizing the media in Rwanda. The committee further proposed that all journalists be given press cards that allow them to practice journalism for three years upon which they can be renewed.

It was also proposed that there be a fixed minimum start-up capital for people seeking to start media houses. For those seeking to start radio stations, the proposed capital is Frw50 million, while those seeking to start a television station are required to have Frw100 million. For print media, the proposal is Frw6 million.

However some MPs said that the proposed start-up capital was very high.

"This money is very high and may lead to the collapse of some of the newspapers in the country," said Hon Jean Baptiste Rucibigango.

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