Rwanda media: It takes three to tango

The term ‘hate speech’ is best associated with the Genocide against the Tutsi in 1994. Journalists went out of their usual mandate of educating, informing and entertaining to become fully complicit in the massacre of over a million Tutsi’s. This left a big hole in Rwanda’s media as many of these either fled the country or found themselves in the firm grip of the judiciary. That is why the two announcements made this week with regards developments in Rwanda’s media carry much importance. The Parliament and Senate have been locked in a serious and intense discussion on the soon to be signed into law Media Bill. The law which governs the operations of the media was subjected to much scrutiny by the legislators, it defines and regulates the functions of the media both print and broadcasting. It also sets out the mandate for the media regulatory body, the Media High Council, whose function is to protect and promote the press, including the protection of consumers of information.