What We Do
Media
Capacity Building
RMDF is aware that a myriad of journalists in this region lacks formal training in the practice. Such practitioners lack the professional skills required particularly to engage in public policy matters. RMDF accordingly strives to embark on short-term courses facilitated by seasoned journalists targeting both new and mid-career journalists. Such training aims at providing practicing journalists with fundamentals required for professional practice.
Education And
Health Journalism
Aware that the media is a strong tool in promoting social services, RMDF seeks to build journalists’ investigative and watchdog skills in reporting on the performance of public health and education sectors so that they can produce in-depth and engaging radio programs and news about these sectors.
Environment And Agriculture Journalism
Agriculture is the dominant means of production in the Rwenzori Region and thus a key sector in improving people’s livelihoods through food security and household incomes through commercial farming. It is also pertinent to note that agriculture and the environment are complementary sectors given the role one plays for the other. Good farming practices sensitive to biodiversity conservation will attract a favorable climate and boost the tourism sector, whose benefits, in turn, boost the agriculture sector. Under this program, RMDF trains journalists to professionally and regularly cover these sectors in their regular news and programming so as to attract stakeholder attention and accountability
Investigative
Journalism
Investigative journalism holds governments and vested interest groups to account and uncovers abuse of power and human rights. Support for investigative journalism initiatives has always been a cornerstone of RMDF’s work. By improving the professional skills of journalists within the field of investigative journalism, we enable the media to act as a watchdog and fulfill its role as the fourth estate, promoting good governance, accountability, and transparency.
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With the support of various stakeholders, RMDF has set-up an Investigative Journalism Center in the city of Fort Portal. The center aims to provide a physical place to bring together journalists and foster a greater appreciation for, and capacity to write critical investigative reports. It also provides a place to connect journalists from different parts of the country to learn from one another, share knowledge, and build this very important journalistic practice together for today – and the future.
Civic Competence
Under this program, RMDF undertakes processes aimed at empowering or shaping people’s attitudes, roles, and values for responsible citizenry in accordance with national goals and interests. Through various forums organized by RMDF, such as public/community dialogues, radio talk-shows, seminars, radio magazines, and journals among others, this organization promotes civic aspects such as citizenship, constitutionalism, and rule of law, democracy, and human rights as well as accountability and transparency in public programs.
Good Journalism
Here at Rwenzori Media Development Foundation, we believe citizens need information they can trust to make important life decisions and hold their decision-makers to account. In a time where trust in media is declining around the world, it has become even more important to support good, accurate journalism – content that is ethical, independent, critical, and of public interest. RMDF works with community media across the Rwenzori region to provide such content and making it accessible to all sections of society including marginalized groups.
We seek to support community media and the content it produces by:
1. Providing training in good reporting and journalism genres such as investigative journalism.
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2. Developing training materials, including handbooks and trainers' guides on best practice models.
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3. Developing the business structures around a healthy, sustainable media business through e.g capacity building of management and staff, income generation through advertisement and sales, and development of intelligent distribution techniques and new business models.
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4. strengthening the links between media, civil society, government institutions and academia to expand media's access to information.
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5. Supporting production of documentaries and podcasts as alternative platforms for marginalised voices and views upon issues seldom covered in mainstream media.
Media Apprenticeship
At RMDF, we are committed to growth, development and creating diversity within our Membership as well as the media Industry.
As part of that commitment, RMDF has created an Apprenticeship Program, which we have built into our organizational concept. The Apprenticeship Program is designed to provide paid placement opportunities to anyone who would like to begin a career in radio, television and digital media industry. RMDF apprentices receive hands-on, unprecedented on-the-job training by working along-side our skilled teams/media professionals in order to better position themselves in furthering their education, opportunities and employment. Apprenticeship opportunities are available in different departments including our newly created Investigative Journalism (IJ), and Peace Journalism (PJ) departments.
If you know someone who or if you are interested in the Apprenticeship Program, please contact the DOP’s office at ljoan.rmdf@gmail.com and request to be placed on the apprenticeship list by providing the following:
- The Intake form
- A copy of your most up-to-date resume.
- Indicate which department(s) you wish to be listed in; maximum of two (2) departments per applicant.
Applicant’s resumes will be forwarded to the department Head/Key who has expressed interest in taking on an apprentice.