Why l Chose Journalism?

“I liked journalism since childhood and secondly I wanted to keep a name in show business. I studied electronics, worked for 8 months but moved to media and my first year in journalism wasn’t paid. It wasn’t about the money. I just wanted to do it.” Safari Kimenyi, Reporter and Radio Presenter at Isango Star FM. “I have a deep passion for journalism. I wanted to impact the lives of young people but didn’t want to engage in politics.” Chaka Immaculate Radio presenter at Flash FM and Editor of Tell Tell Magazine. “I joined the journalism profession because it was still lagging behind compared to other professions. Majority of media practitioners didn’t take it seriously. I like speaking my mind and journalism is one of the channels through which I can do this. Also journalism was misused and culminated into the genocide that claimed the lives of a million people. We want to change that.” Kim Kimasa, Editor of Izuba Rirashe. “I wanted to be a voice for other people and be a good programme producer and offer better programmes.” Augustine Mulindwa, Director and Radio Presenter on Radio Rwanda. “I remember in primary four listening to radio and thinking, I can do better than those people on radio. But when you get there it is a little bit different. You have to be straight forward always telling the truth though here in Africa some things are better left untold.” Uncle Austine Radio Ten Presenter. “Personally, becoming a journalist is nothing I planned. I just happened to love the profession from my early high school days. My love for writing overshadowed my art talent. I remember painfully choosing Literature at the expense of Fine art.” Edmund Kagire, Senior Reporter at The New Times. “I came after the 1994 genocide and there was a journalism gap in Rwanda and I had to fill it. I didn’t grow up with a passion for journalism but I have personal interests in current affairs and development.” Albert Rudatsimburwa, Director, Contact FM. “First of all journalism is a passion and a career. In Rwanda there are a lot of developments in the private and public sectors. Developmental journalism was really needed after the genocide. It is one of the tools that can help countries like Rwanda to tell the post-genocide reconstruction process.” Bosco Hitimana, Reporter of Business Week. “I love writing. I have always loved writing.” Ivan Mugisha, Reporter at The New Times. “It is the channel where someone can contribute and extend knowledge and updates to the society.” Thadeo Gatabazi, Sub Editor at Izuba Rirashe. Ends