Mushikiwabo warns media on Genocide reporting

The Minister of Information, Louise Mushikiwabo, has warned local and international communication and information centres, including radio stations and print media outlets, against programmes and publications that seek to undermine or deny the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. She explained that the Government’s decision to suspend the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) local language (Kinyarwanda) programmes from Rwandan airwaves is temporary, and was caused by their behavior.She noted, Development in Rwanda today was a result of the unity which people have harnessed in the last 15 years and their efforts to get over what took place in 1994. “It is improper conduct to undermine this important initiative,” she said, over the weekend while presiding over the official launch of a new Genocide movie, ‘Tears of Rwanda’. “We shall not allow any radio or individual to deviate the positive progress, but it’s up to the BBC to change. Our long term decision will depend on how they respond,” said Mushikiwabo who also doubles as the government spokesperson.She promised to work closely with the management of the British media house to rectify the differences which stem from one of their programmes, Imvo n’Imvano aired Saturday morning.She said that it would depend on the BBC to act accordingly if they still want to retain the Rwandan audience.“If they can reverse their actions of undermining government’s pleas for unity and reconciliation among its nationals, then we can reconsider our decision,” Mushikiwabo said.The Government of Rwanda has for some time been requesting the broadcaster not to continue giving Genocide deniers airtime but to no avail. Ends

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Mushikiwabo warns media on Genocide reporting