Local private media has attacked the government for dragging its feet when it comes to have businesses with them through advertising in their media outlets.
Journalists and media owners were reacting on what a board member of Media High Council Arthur Asiimwe comment saying they should ensure professional delivery since it would persuade potential clients to advertise with them.
Members of the private media disagreed collectively with Asiimwe alleging no harder how one would be professional; the strategy of getting advertisements from government institutions was still twisted.
Shyaka Kanuma the Editor-in-Chief of Rwanda Focus newspaper noted that it is a pity to find government advertisements in magazines or newspapers that have just got into in the media market yet those that have been there also known by the majority are left out.
“This is one of the reasons why the local media doesn’t have enough income for facilitating reporters in the field for instance, and it is due to this challenges that makes it harder for many to report independently,” he added, ”imagine one can’t even access credit from financial institutions since the paper’s business doesn’t look consistent,” he remarked.
Attempting to give a solution on the matter, Robens Mukunzi the Editor-in-Chief of Oasis newspaper advised his colleagues to adapt to the Rwandan market and deliver stories which are relevant to the local readers.
He was reacting to tabloids which are known for writing rumors that lack tangible proof, yet the same style was used to incite violence during the 1994 Genocide 17 years ago.
The former Director General in the Ministry of information Ignatius Kabagambe was pointed out that media practitioners should strive to report stories that improve readers than finding problems where they don’t exist.
He Implied that the press should start practicing development journalism that entails stories that cover infrastructure, health and ICT.
Kabagambe claimed that educative stories often pull the public attention since majority want to know what is important to the progress into their lives.
“I think the way forward is for journalists to learn some of the best practices from those doing well, this would be better rather than wasting time complaining of how some oppressed feel,” he remarked.
The local press were sharing grievances and the rising challenges in the print media; the matter raised at the commemoration of Africa press day held today.
Members of the press present reviewed progress at the same time gave opinions on some of the challenges including lack of access to information, censorship and lack of advertisements to sustain their businesses.
Leave a Reply