With the advent of Dish Satellite Television (DSTV) and more recently GTV, in most cases spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing what to watch. Both offer a wide range of international channels. But why are people drawn to international channels rather than the local ones like TV Rwanda? Bonny Ndayisenga, 20, has just completed secondary education. As he awaits his admission to university, he spends some of his time watching television. Though there is a TV set at his home, he will always find an excuse to go to a nearby bar and restaurant to access international channels. Asked why he prefers to hang out in bars for just that simple reason of wanting to watch television, he responds that he likes watching Super Sport where he can enjoy live soccer. Bonny says that his family set can only broadcast TV Rwanda and he finds it “quite uninteresting” when compared to Super Sport Five, his favorite television channel. He says that the most attractive thing he finds on super sport is the premier league. Definitely if you are looking to enjoy the premiership matches then TV Rwanda is not your channel of choice. But unlike Bonny, Oliver Kabatesi, 30, finds TV Rwanda her ideal television station. She says that the most attractive element of the station is the cultural aspect that is always alive in its broadcast and program line up. Being a fan and an active participant of the traditional dance she always finds time to tune in and enjoy the show. Oliver adds that although many international television channels have many lively programs in comparison with local television, they are also mostly engaged in what she terms as “indecent exposure”. Pressed further for an explanation, she explains that a number of these international channels show movies which are not supposed to be exposed to young kids or students. “Many kids especially from the so-called affluent families watch movies that are supposed to be restricted to adults because of having access to DSTV channels.” Oliver (45) adds that it would be wise if kids watched TV with some kind of parental guidance. In her view access to some television stations which show adult films and others like horror movies should be restricted. “Parents have a moral obligation to guide their kids as concerns what is appropriate.” Moreover she thinks that the foreign culture which is always portrayed as cool by most of the TV channels which are regarded as international is not always morally correct. In her view our local television is always at the forefront of promoting the rich cultural heritage that abounds in Rwanda and other African countries. Oliver’s views seem to be the complete opposite of what Bonny’s friend Richard thinks. In his view many young people always rush to watch international channels because the tap into what many youths like him like. “I love rap music and football especially the premier league…and all these are in most cases made available by channels like M-Net and Supersport”. This seems to be a clash of generations. Many young people seem to have fallen in love with the kind of programs that are always on international channels. Obviously some one who finds Eminem or Snoop Dogg as their living icon will in most cases be interested in watching a channel like Channel O that has many programs that thrive on their music and videos. Roselyn, however, says that she always makes it a point to have her kids watch local television because it teaches them culture and at the same time they see fellow kids participating in cultural performances like dance. “This challenges them to love their culture as they see their fellow kids engaging in cultural performances like dance.” Roselyn adds that she selects international channels carefully for her kids and always ensures that any program they watch has a positive impact on her children’s development and growth both socially and at school. She says that programs that make kids curious and engage them in a learning process are the best for her family especially the little ones. At the same time she is always looking for programs that give her children role models to look up to. She says that this is one of the most pertinent issues that informs her choice of television station. She adds that it is important for her kids to have role models who are from both environments both local and international. That is why she tunes in to local and international TV. And to achieve this she has had to create a kind of time table where by they alternate between TVR and other international television channels. Roselyn believes that kids, if properly guided by their parents, will not lose their moral fibre as a result of too much exposure to television programs that may be not good for people of their age. Obviously many parents choose which station to watch basing on what they consider to be appropriate for their kids and this as seen from Roselyn will determine whether they go for local TV or international channels. Yet for the youth the rap music and world soccer of international TV gets their vote every time. Contact: frankkagabo@yahoo.com
