Members of Rwanda’s media fraternity including Rwanda Journalists Association (ARJ), media managers and leaders of media associations have committed to provide required support for the Annual Development Journalism Award to be held. They made the commitment in a dialogue organized by RGB on 05^th November 2020 to discuss about the celebration of Africa Day of Information and several other issues pertaining to the impact of Covid-19 on media sector.

Africa Day of Information will be observed by Rwanda’s media fraternity as usual on 7^th November 2020.  The event to be held through interactive talk shows at different TV and Radio stations will discuss the economic impact of COVID-19 on the media with focus on challenges, innovative solutions and recovery strategies, was well as the role of the media in driving Africa’s recovery from the COVID-19 crisis

For the past years, the celebration of Africa Day of Information has culminated with the celebration of Annual Development Journalism Award organized by RGB in collaboration with ARJ and other partners. Yet, due to Covid-19, this year’s Development journalism Award was put on hold, waiting for a favourable environment to carry out the event in line with Covid-19 prevention measures.

Considering the importance of Development journalism Award in enhancing professionalism and encouraging journalists to be passionate to their profession, ARJ, media houses and associations agreed to own the activity and mobilize required resources for it to happen. Media managers and leaders of media associations committed to contribute by providing both financial and technical support. RGB as the institution that has led this activity for the past years and other institutions with responsibilities related to media sector under their mandate also commitment to support for that event.

A technical team led by ARJ will be set to run the process of organizing Development journalism Award which will be held on a date to be communicated once the road map of the event is finalized.

Development Journalism Awards (DJA) is an annual event organised since 2013 to award the best performing journalists and media houses. The objective of DJA is to promote excellence and professionalism in Media Sector.