Last week, the media fraternity met, discussed and validated the media self-regulation plan.

The plan is expected to guide the newly created Rwanda Media self-regulation Commission (RMSC) in its mandate of protecting media consumers, professional conduct and media freedom.

As a follow-up, the media fraternity will meet again in a general assembly on September 26, 2013 to elect a seven-member committee to the RMSC.

Three of the commissioners will be what the outline calls “eminent citizens,” who include a retired judge or law professor, media professor or senior lecturer and a citizen of renowned reputation from any sector of society.

The RMSC effectively took over the responsibilities of media regulation from the Media High Council (MHC) following presidential assent to the media law of 2013. The law cements Cabinet decision of March 2011 that removed regulatory powers from the MHC.

It will also help in implementing the media policy of 2011 that stipulates professionals regulating themselves.

Save for endorsement of multi-party elections in the 2003 Constitution, this policy shift is by far remarkable than any other.

Thus, it is my view that if media self-regulation succeeds, Rwanda will become an uncontestable and unassailable post-conflict success story on the continent. Why do I say so? This is because of a number of reasons:

Firstly, if there is anything that has tarnished the image of government in the eyes of the international community, besides human rights record, it is its relationship with the media.

Year-in-year out, different media watchdogs and human rights groups have reported that while the government has performed well on the social and development front, it has done poorly on press freedom.

While methodologies used by such organisations are questionable because they lack context and objectivity, there have been times when the government made “unwise” decisions against journalists.

Secondly, where the practice has become the norm like in the Scandinavian countries, democracy and development are clearly sustainable.

Lastly, evidence shows that where media self-regulation has been nurtured and sustained, it has helped nurture trust between the government and the Third Estate.

This has consequently helped build and sustain solidarity between the citizenry, which is normally critical to developing and sustaining a minimum consensus on what constitutes “national interests” that are normally defended by all regardless of political affiliation, ethnic group, class, region or religion.

This last point is critical because no country has managed to have sustainable development and democracy without developing a minimum consensus on “national interests.”

So, what does it and will it require for self-regulation to succeed?

Firstly, it will require solidarity and support of all journalists and media houses. This includes belonging to the body; enforcing its decisions, publicising them and making regular financial contributions to the body to ensure it pays its bills.

Secondly, the body needs reliable and sustainable funding because where this has lacked, the practice has failed.

This is where all media stakeholders, including development partners and government need to come together and support a basket fund as recommended in the blueprint to ensure financial sustainability and independence of the body.

Thirdly, to succeed, the body will require unreserved support, goodwill and patience of government. This also means where aggrieved, government officials should trust and take its complaints to the same body.

Fourth, there has to be public awareness of the mission, functions and mandate of the body as well as its relationship with sustainable democracy, complaints procedures to all sectors of society.

Finally, acting independently, fairness and proactively on the part of the self-regulation body will be key. This is why electing men and women of honour, good reputation and wisdom will be critical to the body’s success.

Dr Christopher Kayumba, PhD, is a senior lecturer at the National University of Rwanda and Managing Consultant at MGC Consult Ltd. E-mail: [email protected]; Twitter: @ckayumba