In the span of a week, the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) apprehended two journalists over various crimes. On October 12, journalist Théogène Manirakiza, who owns the YouTube channel 'Ukwezi TV,' was arrested on charges of bribery involving an amount of Rwf 500,000. He was allegedly offered the money not to publish a story. Four days later, on October 16, RIB announced the arrest of freelance journalist and YouTuber Jean-Paul Nkundineza, over three charges – public insult, abuse of a whistle-blower, and use of threats. ALSO READ: 'Rwf500,000 bribe to kill a story’ gets YouTube journalist arrested The arrests sparked a range of reactions on social media. Rwanda Media Commission (RMC) took to X, formerly Twitter, to address the recent arrests, and explaining that they were following up on the developments. “Journalists' rights to legal counsel are being respected as they are receiving assistance from lawyers due to our collaborative efforts with partners. We have confidence in Rwanda's judicial institutions to ensure proper administration of justice. We advocate for an impartial investigation and the scrupulous adherence to due process,” read part of the RMC statement. The body emphasized its complete understanding of the significance of the legal proceedings within the context of journalism and the broader principles of freedom of the press and freedom of expression. They acknowledged the vital role played by journalists in fostering accountability and transparency. “RMC is committed and is adept at addressing all media-related ethics through self-regulation approaches, with the primary goal of safeguarding the general public from any potential harm,” reads the announcement. RMC urged media practitioners to adhere to media laws and ethical standards, recognizing that freedom of expression is not without its limitations.
