The plenary session of the Senate Thursday, adopted the law establishing Rwanda Broadcasting Agency RBA, determining its mission, nature and responsibilities.
The acting Director General of Rwanda Bureau of Information and Broadcasting ORINFOR welcomed the adoption of the law, saying that it will bring about fundamental transformation in the profession of journalism in the country.
Members of the upper chamber of parliament in the Political affairs and good governance committee presented to the sitting session of 24 senators the media bill on the law determining the responsibilities, the organization and the functioning of Rwanda Broadcasting Agency, Abbreviated as ‘‘RBA’’.
After responding to questions raised by some senators, mainly pertaining to establishment of the Board of Directors, Loss of membership to the Board of Directors and employees of the dissolved ORINFOR, the Senate session passed the media bill.
It was voted by 22 senators while 2 abstained. Mr. Willy Rukundo, said that the approval of the law is a clear indication of the strides made by the media industry in the country. The development is part of the media reforms.
“ORINFOR has been a state broadcaster, but this law will establish RBA which will be a public broadcaster. RBA will satisfy the needs and interests of the general public. It will focus more on issues affecting the citizens. I can briefly say, the voting of the law has catapulted a transformation yet to be seen in the media industry in our country”.
Responding to question about the fate of employees who have been ORINFOR’s after it has been replaced by RBA, Mr. Willy Rukundo allayed concerns, saying that recruitment will be based on usual normal procedures.
He noted that RBA will no longer be governed by public labour statute; employees will be signing contracts with RBA.
Dr Mukabaramba Alivera, the state minister in the ministry of local government, which has media in its attribution said that though RBA has a legal personality, administrative and financial autonomy, the law states that there should be six months allowance period to enable what was being done in ORINFOR be merged with what is provided for in the law establishing RBA.
“The law allows 6 months period to incorporate ORINFOR’s activities with the new RBA law”.
Rwanda Broadcasting Agency RBA will be comprised of Radio, Television and modern Information Communication Technology.
The law also gives RBA Assets formerly belonging to ORINFOR, as well as inheriting ORINFOR’s debts. ORINFOR’s print media unit will be privatized.
ORINFOR
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