The Association of Rwanda Journalists (ARJ) recently held an interactive session with several Mass Communication students at East African University Rwanda (EAUR), with Liberian Journalist David Flomo benefiting from the engagement.
During this one-day event, ARJ members facilitated discussions on various topics, including solutions to challenges in journalism, the importance of journalism studies, the legal framework governing journalists in Rwanda, ethical journalism, gender-sensitive reporting, and the use of YouTube channels by journalists.
According to Emmanuel Habvowremy, the Executive Secretary of the Association, the session aimed to share experiences with student journalists to support them in their media studies.
He encouraged the students to recognize the significance of journalism and identify the solutions they can contribute to the profession after graduation. He also announced plans to extend this initiative to other universities in Rwanda that offer Mass Communication and Media Studies.
“After this, we will visit the University of Rwanda (UR) and others that offer Mass Communication. We are doing this to share our experiences with student journalists and motivate them to maintain ethical standards of the journalism profession,” Habvowremy stated.
At the end of the event, Eelyene, a Mass Communication student speaking on behalf of her peers, expressed gratitude to ARJ for recognizing East African University Rwanda (EAUR) as one of the institutions benefiting from this knowledge-sharing session.
She requested more opportunities to develop the skills of journalism students, describing the event as an eye-opener. “This shouldn’t be the end. We need more opportunities like this to better understand the professional journalism landscape,” she said.
The session, held in the main hall of EAUR on March 12, 2025, brought together five members of ARJ, heads of EAUR’s Mass Communication Department, and numerous mass communication students.
Established in 1995 in the aftermath of the genocide between the Hutu and Tutsi communities, the Association of Rwanda Journalists (ARJ) serves as the primary organization for professional and practicing Rwandan journalists. Its mission is to strengthen advocacy efforts, address issues in the media landscape, and foster solidarity among journalists in Rwanda. By: David Nuakolo Flomo Jr
