Independent Production in Rwanda

October 2014

A new Breakfast show  was launched on October 15th 2014 in Rwanda. "Rise and Sine" is broadcast by the newly created RBA (the Rwandan Broadcasting Authority). The show is the brainchild of Legacy 45, one of a growing number of independent producers in the country.
Independent production is a growing industry as a result of changes introduced in Rwanda over the last 5 years. A new media Policy adopted by the government has led to changes in the media laws that have created a new regulatory regime, which is currently being rolled out.
One of the effects of the changes is an increase in foreign investment in media, with the Kenyan Nation Group taking the initiative by launching radio (KFM 98.7) in Kinyarwanda based in the capital Kigali. Alongside this, young Rwandans are increasingly getting involved in independent production and RBA appears to be keen to take advantage of the new companies offering content.
The Dutch, Swedish and German governments and UNDP have all supported the media reforms and other countries are joining in. The Institute of War and Peace Reporting is working with the Rwandan government to channel finanical support to a wide range of projects which support the implementation of the reforms. The reforms, which GMT Media has advised on from their inception, are the subject of an independent review by The Legatum Institute - a London based Think Tank. (follow link below).
Legacy 45 is receiving mentoring and training support from GMT Media and DMA through an incubator fund called "The Creative Hub" which is helping a range of start up media companies. RBA is also getting support from GMT Media and Swedish Radio as it starts to change itself from a State Broadcaster in to something more akin to a public broadcaster, changing its name from ORINFOR to RBA in the process.
Links:-
Legatum Institute Report:
http://www.li.com/activities/publications/let-there-be-speech-reforming-...
Rise and Shine on air explaining the Creative Hub:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqtJMhn2Pi0

Jerry Timmins, Managing Director GMT Media Ltd

Rise and Shine On Air