Responsibilities of MHC have been shifted to the Ministry of Local Government (MINALOC) and Rwanda Governance Board (RGB).

Since last year, the Government of Rwanda has been restructuring some institutions.

These reforms saw some institutions reducing or increasing staff members depending on areas of priority in a way that maintains improved institutional performance and avoid unnecessary expenses.

The Media High Council which has been operational for 19 years is among institutions that have been phased out.

It was established in 2002 with the mandate of monitoring media content. It was later in 2013 assigned more duties of building capacity for media managers, editors and practicing journalists.

The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Public Service and Labor (MIFOTRA), Musonera Gaspard has told IGIHE that similar reforms were made within other institutions that were merged to improve efficiency.

“There have been instances where assistants would outnumber staff members with major duties within particular institution. It is with this regard that the Government decided to stop unnecessary expenses,” he said.

Musonera pointed out an example whereby some institutions had almost similar duties and independent financial departments yet there was possibility to merge them.

“This is about self-assessment to identify areas of priorities in which money should be utilized. It goes with identifying institutions with gaps to be reinforced or others with excessive staff members to be transferred. Government institutions are meant to foster citizens’ progress. It is not reasonable to spend the entire budget on staff and equipment which might end up reducing the budget for development projects gradually,” he explained.

Musonera revealed that responsibilities of Media High Council have been shifted to MINALOC which has been overseeing the functioning of the institution while capacity building for media managers and journalists has been transferred to RGB.

It is expected that the placement of employees will have been completed by the end of February 2021.

Media High Council has been phased out.