Rene Anthere Rwanyange
Freedom of expression, a cornerstone of democracy, was at the heart of a national conference organized by the Observatory of Vulnerable People’s Rights (OVPR) on preventing abuse in the media profession.
On Thursday, October 9, 2025, together journalists, bloggers, YouTubers, TikTokers, and other digital actors analyze the challenges and responsibilities associated with their work.
The conference lays the groundwork for a shared understanding of the issues related to freedom of expression, professional responsibility, and the quality of information. The end was setting recommendations to prevent misinformation, rumors and disinformation in media and strengthen the professionalization of the media sector in Rwanda.
Challenges revealed by a survey
This initiative stems from a survey conducted among media professionals across the country. The outcome revealed that many journalists are unaware of the laws and protection mechanisms governing their profession, making them vulnerable to abuse, ethical lapses, and self-censorship.
During the conference, participants shared the obstacles they encounter in their daily work. Among the most frequently cited challenges as lack of awareness of the principles and laws governing the profession, as well as the production of incomplete content or content that infringes upon public or individual interests.
Certain groups also remain neglected in media coverage, notably people with disabilities and children, particularly street children, whose problems are reported without giving them the opportunity to speak for themselves.
The majority of journalists present also emphasized that independent media outlets are particularly affected by the denial of access to information by certain authorities or by the delayed dissemination of data. These constraints represent major challenges, compromising both the freedom and quality of journalism in Rwanda.
Mr. Bruce Bikotwa emphasizes that OVPR aims to promote professional journalism in Rwanda
Bruce BIKOTWA, Legal representative of OVPR, reaffirms the organization’s commitment. “As OVPR, we plan to organize further exchanges that will bring together different institutions to further promote freedom of expression and prevent abuses in the media profession.”
On the other side, Peacemaker Mbungiramihigo, representative of the RGB, says that “We are fully aware of the role that the media plays in the country’s development. It is with this notice that we actively participate in all initiatives aimed at advancing and promoting the media sector.”
Mr. Peacemaker Mbungiramihigo affirms that the media are essential to the country’s development when practices professionally.
The Observatory of Vulnerable Peoples’ Rights (OVPR) is a national non-governmental organization created in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda on 12/01/2019 by a group of eleven people, including human rights defenders and other professionals, in accordance with Law n ° 04/2012 of 17/02/2012 on the organization and functioning of non-governmental organizations.
Its primary mission is to promote and protect the rights of people in difficulty as guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda, the laws in force in Rwanda, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the African Charter of Human and peoples’ rights, as well as other international human rights instruments.
To achieve this goal, the organization aims to promote and protect the rights of human rights defenders, the rights of journalists, the rights of detainees, the rights of children, the rights of refugees and the rights of people living with disabilities.
It uses the channels as well as monitoring and evaluation, free judicial and /or extrajudicial assistance and representation; information on the fundamental principles of human rights via the media and training through Research Centers and granting of advisory opinions.
So far OVPR intervenes through free legal assistance, awareness-raising, research and training, thus contributing to building a working environment that respects the rights and responsibilities of each media actor and to promoting a more Responsible and Professional Rwandan Press.
