Media is often cited as a crucial pillar of good governance and the critical link in the accountability chain between the government and the governed. It is universally regarded as the fourth estate of democracy. However, NAR, as part of its mission in promoting participatory governance, and resulting from the media training on Governance Reporting and Dialogue Facilitation conducted in May and June 2016, established a media engagement forum as the flagship of the participatory governance axis.
In this regard, on the 26th July 2018, Never Again Rwanda hosted a media forum, which brought together journalists from different media outlets in Rwanda, seeking to explore the role that media can play in enhancing participatory governance processes in Rwanda.
The forum, which was officially opened by Mrs. Florence Batoni of Never Again Rwanda, stated that the media forum was established to enable media houses and journalists to play an essential role in governance and to provide a space for sharing information and debate on governance issues.
Governance and Rights Team Leader, Mr. Noel Ntahobari, emphasized the ‘watchdog’ role of the media in promoting accountability through debates and discussions about the major governance challenges and possible solutions.
Ntahobari also presented findings from NAR’s research titled: “Local Government Imihigo Process: Understanding the factors contributing to low Citizen Participation”, which proved a limited media role in promoting participatory governance.
In the media forum, participants identified the main challenges which have impeded journalists from being able to fulfill their responsibilities as watchdogs and champions of accountability.
The representative of Family Magazine noted that it is still challenging to report on sensitive issues such as trauma and Gender-Based Violence.
“It is still challenging to investigate and report about cases of GBV or trauma, most of the victims still have fear to engage with the media and reveal their identity as they fear consequences”.
Claude Habimana from Salus Radio, noted that some citizens fear to engage with media on governance issues depending on how they are approached and the extent to which the journalists are willing to protect their identity. Other media practitioners within the forum shared the opinion that media entities have become business-orientated, which has impeded journalists from being able to fulfill their responsibilities as watchdogs and champions of accountability.
Other issues mentioned were the role of the media in promoting a more gender-equal society, and sensitive reporting issues. Ms. Adelite Mukamana from Never Again Rwanda, engaged journalists on the traumatic stress and its impact on interviewed victims, as well as on themselves.
This media forum devised additional mechanisms and strategies in making media practitioners increasingly powerful players in influencing accountability in sharing knowledge and information, changing social norms and values, enhancing and providing space for citizens to voice their concerns, and in facilitating social networking.