Underbaked or Unrealized

Abstract

Abstract This chapter introduces two important beliefs guiding the Rwandan journalism field within the boundaries set by myth, politics, and economics. First, the close supervision of angles, story topics, and even reporting practices highlights a shared belief that the field is characterized by a lack of professionalism. This leads editors and other leaders to focus on training and other professional development tools as solutions to many problems in the field. It also supports a belief that, if reporters get in trouble or cause trouble, they are likely personally responsible for doing something unprofessional. This belief also reinforces a shared understanding that journalists can best contribute to Rwanda’s well-being by prioritizing development—leading many organizations and journalists within them to adopt a development-oriented role and associated news values of cooperation and positivity.