Rwandan journalists, last Sunday, elected new leaders who will head the Rwanda Journalists Association (ARJ), for the next two years.Notable during the whole electoral process was the calmness and transparency, with which the new leaders were voted, and the goodwill they received thereafter.This was uncharacteristic of local media elections, which had an unenviable reputation of confrontation, bitter divisions and walkouts.The orderliness and openness that characterized Sunday’s vote were an indication of maturity and willingness on the part of local journalists to build a stronger association for the good of the profession.Both the victors and the losers were content with the results and pledged to work together to take Journalism in Rwanda to the next level.The new committee comes in at a critical moment. It takes office at the time when the country is witnessing major reforms across the media landscape, including the ongoing efforts to entrust the media with self-regulatory powers. Practicing journalists need to own these reforms but that cannot happen when they are not organized and united. With ARJ now more solid and purpose-driven than ever, there is no doubt that local journalist are in a position to play a key role in fostering a professional media industry. It is important that the same spirit and solidarity that transpired during the recent elections does not die out.ARJ members should unreservedly rally behind their leaders to achieve the association goals.Those elected, too, should commit themselves to meeting members’ expectations and building a solid foundation for the future.
