Insight

Rwanda recently hosted the Fifth East Africa Media Summit that brought together over 200 media experts in the region to deliberate on the opportunities and challenges faced by journalists while covering the East African story. The New Times caught up with the Senior Public Relations Officer, Owora Othieno, for an insight on EAC’s prospects , its relationship with journalists, among other issues.  Below are excerpts.

TNT: Why is EAC so keen on involving the media in its activities?
Othieno: The Community regards the media in East Africa as one of the key strategic drivers of the integration process. The East African media at this critical juncture in the integration process is to get EAC closer to the people, to get the debate and discourse going on about the issues of regional co-operation and integration and, indeed, to lead the crusade for strengthening the spirit of unity and engendering an East African identity. The Community is people centred; every stakeholder has a role and has to contribute
something, so why not engage the media?