Editor, Reference is made to the article, “Digital broadcasting stirs up local TV industry, but...” (The New Times, December 31). I have four points to raise here: One; Kinyarwanda content: I’m surprised the writer did not mention the undoubted popularity of TV1 so far. This is because this television station has focused on Kinyarwanda content and fresh dynamic one at that. Rwanda TV will always lead when it comes to Government news, but their content tends to be stale and stagnant. At the end of the day, 90 per cent of Rwandans are Kinyarwanda speakers (even the elite youth surprisingly) given the strong cultural ties and national pride associated with the language. Two; Statistics: This industry suffers from a lack of credible statistics… For instance, do we know the number of viewers, demographic specifics, etc? How does one get to know what 40-50 year olds, for example, like to watch? Do TV programme managers know who they are targeting, thereby creating appropriate content for them? On a lighter note, Family TV brings “translated” movies in the mid morning hours. Maybe their target is house helps? Whatever the case, all I can say is that they are being smart on this. Three; Use of internet media: For broadcasting house to believe that they can do this without internet is just folly at the best. Do any of the stations have live-streams? Are they on YouTube and/or Vimeo? To this end, I would watch KigaliToday.com and Inyarwanda.com YouTube channels because they are on demand. This is a very powerful need for serious TV viewership. Rise and Shine Rwanda (on Rwanda Television) has gone ahead and done this, and one is able to view missed episodes. As for Rwanda TV, despite sitting on a gold mine, when are they going to post those TV archives online? Four; Capacity building: I hope there is a lobby group that can petition WDA (Workforce Development Authority) or Mifotra (Ministry of Public Service and Labour) to develop or enhance media training programmes under the TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) framework. These are highly needed skills. I also hope Government officials are noting this and doing something about it. And employers, kindly go a step ahead and nurture young talents; don’t break them with unpaid internships, overexploitation…and at the end of the day, you need local Rwandan youth to work with – that is what will sustain your business. Kigali Girl
