From the 11th to the 13th of February 2020, The Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee has successfully hosted a 3-day training session on ethics in sports journalism, the Olympic values and its application to the Rwandan cultural values and history.
Group photo after the opening ceremony.
30 sports journalists from different local media houses had an opportunity to learn more about the ancient and modern Olympics, the philosophy of Olympism and following panel discussions:
- Structure and programs of International Olympic Committee.
- Background of the Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee, its mission, values, objectives, responsibilities and its programs.
- Code of Ethics for Journalists and Reporters, the role of the media in the development of sports in Rwanda and the content to be transmitted to their audiences, and – Sharing experience on sports journalism.
- Review of most cases received by the Rwanda Media Council about sports journalists.
- The roles of different stakeholders involved in the development of sport.
- The power of media in the implementation of the Rwandan sport policy.
- Relation and collaboration between Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee and the Ministry of Sports, National Sports Federations, Associations and other partners.
As practical component, the participants visited the Royal Palace which is located in Nyanza district, Southern Province with purpose of discovering how Olympic values and Rwandan traditional values are related based on the book “Traditional Games and Weapons in Rwanda” (“Imikino n’Intwaro Gakondo” for Kinyarwanda version and “Les Jeux Et Les Armes Traditionnels Au Rwanda” for French version), published by Inteko Izirikana in collaboration with the Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee.
The IOC Member and First Vice President of Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee, Mrs. Félicité Rwemarika who was the guest of honor in her opening remarks said: “I hope that this 3-day session will be a good moment to relearn the journalism’s code of ethics and about Olympic movement. You are the voice of sport and we value your contribution in development of it.”
Mr. BUTOYI Jean who is the current President of both Rwanda Sports Journalists Association and RNOSC Media Commission commended the Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee for the initiative and urged the journalists to take the advantage of the workshop to boost their professional skills.
The Radio and TV 10 presenter, Miss Iradukunda Yvonne who attended the session said that the training challenged her mind and has contributed a lot to her career as a sports journalist while Saddam Mihigo who is the founder of
halftime.rw suggested the RNOSC to organize such important workshop at least once a year.
Speaking to the participants during the closing ceremony, the RNOSC President, Amb. Valens Munyabagisha: “We have to work closely with media towards the Rwanda Sport Movement development and trainings like these give us an opportunity to have the same thinking about the vision of Rwandan Sport industry.”
A range of experts have contributed to this workshop including the Rwanda Sports Journalists Association and RNOSC Media Commission President, Mr. BUTOYI Jean, Rwanda Media Council Chairman, Mr. BARORE Cléophas, Sports Journalism Educators Mr. RUSHINGABIGWI Jean Bosco and Mr. KAMANZI Innocent and the President of Inteko Izirikana, Mr. MUVUNANYAMBO Apollinaire.
The 3-day training session was concluded by a friendly football match between AJSPOR Broad Media FC 4-3 AJSPOR Print Media FC which took place at Amahoro National Stadium.
