The long awaited media law amendment has finally reached the Senate, The New Times has learnt. Some of the articles that have been amended include the earlier minimum start-up capital for people seeking to start media houses. Initially, the Lower Chamber proposed Frw50 million as initial capital for radio stations, Frw100 million television station and Frw6 million for print media. Senate rejected the earlier proposals and decided that the starting capital of a media house would only be decided by Ministerial Decree in consultation with the Media High Council. This gives the Ministry of Information full rights to determine capital required to set up a media house. Meanwhile, in the previous parliament, some lawmakers had expressed dissatisfaction on this particular article saying that the starting capital was too high. Senate also reviewed a number of other articles including requirements for media practitioners to have a national press card, qualifications for professional journalists and requirements for foreign journalists who operate in Rwanda. Articles highlighting the roles and limitations of journalists, and other requirements for a media house to open doors in Rwanda were passed while articles on the duration a newspaper should not exceed without being published with no genuine reason, were also initiated by the Senate. The senate decided that the Media High Council reserves full rights to terminate a daily newspaper if it spends two weeks without running. The Media law amendment is expected to go to the President’s Office for the final signature before it is published in the official gazette. Ends
