English
Kinyarwanda
The Police-Media interaction sessions proceeded yesterday with the fourth episode held in Southern Region where journalists, Police officers and local leaders shared experiences that aimed at collectively serving the interests of the public.
The session in the Southern Province presided over by governor Marie-Rose Mureshyankano came a day after a similar one was held in the Northern Province and presided over by the Provincial Executive Secretary Paul Jabo.
The series of interactive sessions are aimed at enhancing partnership between the police and the media, share experiences and best practices in serving public interests, crime prevention and advancing public safety.
Similar sessions were previously held in the Eastern and Western Provinces; they drew mostly journalists operating the respective provinces, Police officers and local leaders
Southern Province
While addressing the session in the South, Governor Mureshyankwano said; “Rwanda's development agenda is built on national security, which is why we must enhance our partnership….The common ground between the Media, the Police and local leaders is that we all serve the interests of the public.”
She called for open and honest dialogues saying that a lot can be achieved by all sectors if the existing partnership is advanced to a much higher level.
During the session, the Police Spokesperson, Assistant commissioner of Police (ACP) Theos Badege gave a detailed background of the police media session that roots from back in 2011 and said that the Police-Media interaction sessions help in sharing experiences and best practices in serving the public
“When we started back in 2011, we all agreed to structure these sessions in a manner that could eliminate any mistrusts that existed by then. Today, we have built a relationship and trust that has effectively translated into crime prevention and public safety,” said the Spokesperson.
He added that, among the achievements recorded since 2011, is collective accountability to the public through enhanced sharing of information.
The Executive Secretary of Rwanda Media Commission (RMC) Emmanuel Mugisha, echoed the same message noting that ensuring security and crime prevention is implied in the media code of ethics.
“As media practitioners, we should be challenged... aspects of security and crime prevention are also part of our duties….The code of ethics talks about universal declaration of human rights, tolerance, democracy, social progress and national cohesion respectful of each citizen, which all lead to crime prevention and building safer societies,” Mugisha said.
He urged the media to ensure accuracy, professionalism and ethics in executing their duties during and after the forthcoming general elections. “RMC has established media guidelines and ethics during the upcoming presidential elections.” Mugisha he said
The session was also attended by the Regional Police Commander, ACP Gilbert Gumira who also assured journalists of enhancing working relations saying that more of similar sessions will be held.
Northern Province
On Thursday Police officers, journalists and local leaders operating in the Northern Province also held a similar session that aimed at strengthening partnership in service delivery.
While addressing the session held at National Police College (NPC), the Provincial Executive Secretary Jabo, said that such a dialogue came in handy as the province recently resolved to enhance the quality of services to the community.
He also said that the Northern Province leadership will remain committed to sustaining partnerships that promote public interests.
He thanked RNP for providing the platform for dialogue and called for a sustained and permanent collaborative framework.
“We recommit to enhancing partnership with the media geared towards promoting the public interest.” he said
He also called for constructive and positive criticism from the media
At the session, the ACP Badege also gave a lecture on the complementarity approach between the media and the police where he said that; “the more such interactions are held the more we progressively close perceived gaps between us”
The mayor of Rulindo district Emmanuel kayiranga said that the interaction was an eye opener, which improved understanding of the role each party plays.
“It is a good opportunity to iron out potential error that may occur from either parties” he said
Meanwhile the entities adopted recommendations to ensure partnership in community policing initiatives. They include enhancing the existing partnership in crime prevention and reporting.
After the four series of the media-police interaction sessions in provinces, the recap session is scheduled to take place in Kigali at RNP General Headquarters next week.
