Monica Cheru, Managing Editor
Beijing, China— At the graduation ceremony of 58 international journalists hosted by Renmin University, Rwandan journalist Mugisha Christian delivered a powerful speech on the role of journalists as cultural bridges in an era of information overload and geopolitical polarization.
The journalists, hailing from 50 countries across Africa, Europe, Asia, the Pacific, and the Caribbean, spent three to four and a half months in China, engaging in immersive training programs aimed at fostering a deeper understanding of China’s development, culture, and global role.
Mugisha, speaking on behalf of the Africa Centre for host organization, China International Press Communication Centre, emphasized the responsibility of journalists to move beyond simplistic narratives:
“As journalists, this experience has reminded us of our role: not just as messengers, but as bridges between cultures. In an age of information overload and geopolitical polarization, clarity and context have never been more urgent.”
He challenged fellow journalists to elevate public discourse by going beyond the surface story:
“Let us return home and do what journalists alone can: replace the lazy question, ‘What’s wrong with the world?’ with a harder one, ‘Whose voices are missing from the answer?’”
Mr. Liu Yuton, Counselor with the Department of Press, Communication, and Public Diplomacy at China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, urged the graduates to “tell the truth about China” in their home countries, ensuring that global audiences gain a more accurate understanding of China’s people and progress.
He said when the journalists return to their home countries, their mission is clear: to counter misinformation, amplify underrepresented voices, and foster cross-cultural dialogue—a vision aligned with China’s broader public diplomacy goals.
Vice Director of the International Exchange and Cooperation Office (IIECO) at Renmin University, Ms. Yuan Yilin, highlighted opportunities for foreign students to study in China through English-taught programs and government scholarships, reinforcing China’s commitment to global educational exchange
Sharokh Saei (Iran) stressed the growing importance of learning Chinese to engage with China’s AI-driven development.
Dwayne Anthony Anderson (Jamaica) noted how the program reshaped his understanding of China’s global role.
Dr. Tania Glouhtcheva (Bulgaria) spoke of Beijing becoming a “home” for journalists, illustrating how cultural exchange fosters mutual understanding.
Mugisha’s closing remarks resonated deeply:
“What we’ve gained here is more than knowledge. It’s a shared responsibility… to practice journalism that does not speak for others, but with them.”
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