Scribes’ association to vote for new leadership

Local journalists will this Sunday converge at Kigali’s La Palisse Hotel to elect a new leadership of Rwanda Journalists Association (ARJ).In a telephone interview, the association’s president, Gaspard Safari, told The New Times that preparations for the polls are “going on smoothly and all is set to have successful and peaceful elections.” “Invitations are being sent out and announcements on all radio stations across the country will start to be aired this afternoon [Monday],” explained Safari.The whole process is funded by the Media High Council (MHC).“Journalists need to know that only those who filled the forms [new membership forms] for the association will be allowed to vote. We are trying to update the membership list to avoid chaos.“It is very clear; for one to be allowed in the [voting] room, he or she will have filled the [membership] form and we shall be looking at names. It is well organised in such a way that there won’t be any problem,” he stated.The February 19 elections are scheduled to start at 8:30a.m, with registration of members.Membership forms can also be filled at the gates but this exercise is slated to end at 9:30a.m.Eight people will be elected, with five in the executive committee and three advisors.The executive committee is composed of president, two vice presidents, general secretary and treasurer.The outgoing committee leaves behind a draft constitution for the proposed union. “It has since been unanimously decided that people vote and the new committee pushes for a union or anything that will be decided by the General Assembly,” noted Safari.“We have developed a draft constitution, which took us much time. Members should look at it and see how they can use it,” he advised. Two varied ideas have recently arisen on either to incorporate the union into an association or to dissolve the association and adopt a union, which would be decided by the general assembly. Journalists welcomed the development with Gonzaga Muganwa of Rwanda Dispatch saying: “We expect much from the committee that will assume office, especially now that we are moving towards media self-regulation…it is now our task to carry out the responsibilities to achieve our goals as journalists,” he said. Fred Muvunyi, of state-media, ORINFOR, expressed optimism that the new committee would deliver. “We need to engage actively.” Under the Safari-led committee, ARJ joined regional and international professional media bodies, including the Eastern Africa Journalists Association (EAJA) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

National

Scribes’ association to vote for new leadership