Burundi’s Minister for Presidency in charge of East African Community (EAC) affairs Isabelle Ndahayo has commended the head of states for exhibiting political goodwill which has laid a soft ground for the integration process to make giant strides.
Ndahayo made the revelation on Thursday in her speech which was read by her representative Clarete Inamahoro to the Secretary General of EAC Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko while in Burundi as he presided over the Media Forum on EAC.
Below is Ndayaho’s full unedited speech
I take this opportunity to welcome all our visitors to the Republic of Burundi. The people of Burundi are highly hospitable and welcoming.
I urge you to visit some of our tourist attractions in Bujumbura and its environs, and to sample our traditional cuisine including mukeke, a fish famous the world over for its delicious taste.
I hope that the team on the Secretary General’s delegation has also had a wonderful journey so far beginning with tour of EAC Institutions in Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda. I am glad to learn that you will be visiting Gitega.
I would like to express my appreciation to the EAC Secretariat for organizing this forum particularly to enlighten members of the media on the progress and current status of the EAC integration process.
Media is the anchor of any democracy worth its salt in the world, and EAC Partner States are no exception.
The Community has made giant strides in the integration process, far greater progress than other regional economic communities in Africa and elsewhere. These achievements have come about due to the political goodwill of EAC Heads of State to the integration.
The purpose of journalism should in my view not be defined by media practitioners or by journalists alone, but rather by the principles and purpose of journalism, and that to me is the role news play in the lives of people.
News is that part of communication that keeps us informed of the changing events and issues at home and abroad. Though it should be interesting or even entertaining, the foremost purpose of news is to empower the informed. News, then, is information that people need to make informed decisions.
The purpose of journalism is thus to provide citizens with the information they need to make the best possible decisions about their lives, their communities,their societies, and their governments – it gives them the ability to make rational choices in a world where they are constantly bombarded by information from all corners.
Ladies and Gentlemen
There is a lot of content coming out of the EAC daily in various sectors such as education, culture, ICT, political affairs, tourism, among others. I urge you tobe creative, investigative and honest in delivering content to the public.
Responsible journalism is at the centre of building nations, fostering peace and unity among the different stakeholders and this can be of particular benefit to a young nation like yours and East Africa at large.
Good decision-making depends on peoplehaving reliable, accurate facts put ina meaningful context. That’s why the utmost obligation of journalism is tosearch for the truth. It is not the truth in the absolute or philosophical sensebut rather a pursuit of the truth by which we all can operate on a day-to-day basis.
This is only possible when Journalists rely on a professional discipline for verifying information. While there is no standardized code as such, every journalist needs certain methods to assess and test information to “get it right.”
This discipline of verification is what separates journalism from other forms of communication such as propaganda, advertising, fiction, entertainment or social media.
Ladies and Gentlemen
Regional integration is a process that will take time; we expect you will challenge and mobilise the government, the civil society, citizens and other none state actors to join in, and create a powerful knowledge base on the EAC integration benefits.
This media forum is aimed at building your capacities as editors, journalists and communications officers. Take advantage of this opportunity to improve your writing and reporting skills on the regional integration in East Africa.
Ladies and Gentlemen
I imagine that journalism is an art or science that takes years to learn. It’s like driving or golf. You never get it right all the time. It’s a game of fewer errors, better facts, and better reporting.
I wish you fruitful deliberations and a feeling of encouragement that your work will be very important.
