Most people categorize stories as hard or soft based on the personality of the person in the story but media experts categorize them basing the content and also the efforts a journalist used when covering stories.
This was a debate raised in training that converged female journalists from different schools of journalism in Rwanda.
The senior journalist as a Facilitator Modeste Nkurikiyimana told students that it’s possible for them to get hard news stories by investigating and doing deep research.
“Any story can be soft when a journalist doesn’t put in much effort to reach that kind of story”
Nkurikiyimana said that a good journalist is very keen on the choice of the word he/she uses in the story also aware of the kind of information to see if it’s not classified before publishing it.
Talking about reporting on politics, Nkurikiyimana said that journalistic information leads or misleads people.
“It’s very necessary to be aware of the political events, knowing political figures, and having the capacity to analyse politics on an international level, regional and locally”. Nkurikiyimana said.
He also pointed out the risks journalists face when exercising their profession.
“Everything in this world has risks, but there is always a way of minimizing risks in media by being professional and ethical, balancing and reporting facts.
He added “Avoid being biased when reporting on politics. Your opinion should not appear in the story. Be polite and avoid defamatory behaviour”
Jean Bosco Rushingabigwi, Head of the Department for Media Sector Coordination Monitoring at Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) said that the government cannot achieve good governance without partnering with the media.
Talking about the role of the media in good governance, Rushingabigwi said that the Media is part of every plan and action, holding leaders accountable.
“When journalists ask and assess government plans and their implementation, it keeps the government on track and under accountability before the public”
Other sessions were about how women journalists should participate with confidence in reporting on politics, tips to gather and publish news on politics, techniques of interviews and capacity to analyze politics.
The Theme of this training was to enhance confidence among female journalism students to report politics and news editing.
Regine Akalikumutima the chairperson of Women in Media Platform said that it’s so important to start shaping young women into future journalists.
“We need female journalists who produce successes stories and raise political issues to promote good governance and develop our society,” she said.
M.Louise Uwizeyimana
