Media
Media development action with informed and engaged societies
Media
After nearly 28 years, The Communication Initiative (The CI) Global is entering a new chapter. Following a period of transition, the global website has been transferred to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa, where it will be administered by the Social and Behaviour Change Communication Division. Wits' commitment to social change and justice makes it a trusted steward for The CI's legacy and future.
 
Co-founder Victoria Martin is pleased to see this work continue under Wits' leadership. Victoria knows that co-founder Warren Feek (1953–2024) would have felt deep pride in The CI Global's Africa-led direction.
 
We honour the team and partners who sustained The CI for decades. Meanwhile, La Iniciativa de Comunicación (CILA) continues independently at cila.comminitcila.com and is linked with The CI Global site.
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Rwanda Association of Science Journalists (RASJ)

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Founded in 2007, the Rwanda Association of Science Journalists (RASJ) is a professional national association devoted to creating and enhancing the capacity of Rwandan journalists to report on existing and emerging science and technology challenges. The Association has a number of key objectives, including: mainstreaming science journalism in Rwanda; disseminating relevant information on science issues and their impact in Rwanda and Africa; improving understanding of scientific research; influencing decision making processes; and clarifying linkages between scientific research, policy decision making, and the implications of these for human well-being. RASJ is a member of the World Federation of Science Journalists (WFSJ) and African Federation of Science Journalists (AFSJ).
Communication Strategies

The RASJ was founded in July 2007 by a small group of health and environmental reporters from different media institutions in Rwanda, in response to what they felt was a distinct lack of awareness about media's role in creating dialogue between scientists, policymakers, and the public. RASJ was therefore created to promote using mass media to help in policy decision making around science and technology research.

Since the RASJ was created, it has mobilised funds to help science reporters gain knowledge on how they can cover their stories. In 2008, in response to the growing number of science reporters, the RASJ organised the first Conference on Science Communication as a way to build capacity of Rwandan media to cover science stories. According to RASJ, it became clear that there was considerable demand for this kind of science reporting in Rwanda to raise public awareness of science and to play a role in policy decision making. RASJ has also linked with science journalist associations from other countries and applied for membership to other science organisations regionally and internationally.

As of 2011, the association was in the process of preparing, developing, and distributing an online questionnaire to gather information about how RASJ members are getting involved in publishing science stories for their respective newsrooms. The outcomes of this survey will help identify the current trends of science journalism in Rwanda.

RASJ is planning to open an office with new equipment that local association members can use to prepare their stories. In addition, at least three formal meetings/workshops intended for science journalists are scheduled to take place. These will serve as an inclusion platform for RASJ members to interact and discuss a number of challenges that they are facing in their careers.

Development Issues

Journalism, Science, and Technology

Sources

Rwandan Association of Science Journalists website on June 2 2011.