MHC, Indian firm sign capacity building pact

The Media High Council (MHC) and New Media Group, the largest publishing house in India, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that provides a cooperation framework between the two institutions.The framework entitles the New Media Group to develop a draft policy for capacity building plan and sustainability for the next five years.Emmanuel Mugisha, the Executive Secretary of MHC, signed the cooperation framework with Satya Swaroop, the group’s managing editor.Speaking to The Sunday Times yesterday, Swaroop said that his company would embark on identifying and filling gaps that exist in the media industry.“We are going to bring our global experience and best practices to Rwanda. Our team is comprised of people with more than 25 years experience in the world’s leading media institutions,” he said.Swaroop emphasized that the media industry was very critical in today’s world because journalists are the best people to create and communicate positive perceptions of any nation.“We believe that the media can play a very positive nation building role on the African continent, especially in this era. We are privileged to work on this prestigious project and will continue working with the Media High Council to achieve the desired results and expectations,” Swaroop noted.New Media Group has a presence in over 125 countries across the globe and publishes a magazine dedicated to Africa for building Indo-Africa relationship which was launched nine years ago.“The need for the capacity building plan will guide the MHC and its partners in empowering the media sector in Rwanda for its rapid growth and development basing on the strategic needs and priorities of the industry,” Mugisha emphasized.The New Media Group is going to start a media solutions company, right from concept to implementation, such as printing, designing, editing and all. The company also plans to start an international media school which will not only serve Rwanda, but Africa as a whole.