Media phobia

“those who perceive journalists as enemies of the people are uncivilised.” One bothering thing about practicing journalism in Rwanda is that so many people fear talking to the press. Fear of the media is a phobia that affects people. People suffering from the fear of Media or Media phobia will do anything and everything to avoid Media of any form or kind. Any event, person or situation that resembles, relates to or symbolises “Media” can trigger off this fear of Media. Vicent Karekezi a 34 year-old special hire taxi driver said that, “people do not want to associate with members of the press because they are afraid of being judged and evaluated negatively by other people, leading to feelings of inadequacy, embarrassment, humiliation, and depression.” However, he added that, “those who perceive journalists as enemies of the people are uncivilised.” Media phobia is generally caused by some influence of “Media” in the person’s life through the media, cinema, childhood experiences, family experiences, dreams, books, news events, et cetera. Claudia Uwera, a 25 year-old entrepreneur said that, “journalists harass and even attack the public because they always exaggerate their stories in order to attract the attention of the public that is why some of the people fear the press.” On several occasions reporters, hustle with people trying to get some interviews, but the people do not give them what they want but instead avoid associating with the members of the press. Eric Manirarora is 22 year-old airtime vendor who reveals that, “journalists always ask difficult questions which make people avoid the press.” All in all members of the press are professionals who broadcast and publish facts according to what they have been told; they do not ignore the positive facts as the members of the public may think however, over exaggerating and over generalizing or looking for disaster thinking from the public is irrelevant to the media. People shouldn’t be afraid to associate with journalist. Ends