MHC dismisses allegations it suspended media outlets

THE Media High Council (MHC) has dismissed reports from international media watchdogs that it has suspended 30 media organs, calling the reports “a distortion and misrepresentation of facts” about the recent decision to publish a list of media organs that have conformed to the provisions of the new media law. During a press conference yesterday, MHC released a statement emphasizing that MHC did not suspend or ban any media organ, as a matter of fact, the number of media outlets that had fully conformed to the new law had increased and a new list had been published. “No paper has been banned as Reporters Without Borders (RSF) alleges. At no time has MHC ever announced that media organs which had not conformed would be suspended,” the Executive Secretary of MHC, Patrice Mulama, said. MHC noted that 95% of the media outlets that are yet to conform to the provisions of the new law, exist but in name and little known about their owners, journalists or offices. “It is therefore misleading for anyone to claim that 30 of them have been suspended. We challenge all those who make such allegations to point out at least 5 journalists that have been rendered unemployed as a result of the alleged suspension,” an MHC statement reads. The statement further reads that the new media law does not only guarantee and protect media freedoms, but also promotes a professional and responsible media that the country has yearned for years. “Declaration of conformity to the new media law avails realistic statistics necessary for effective planning for media development. While the law allows individuals and companies the right to establish media organs, all must be done in line with the law,” the statement reads. The council also stated that it will continue to work closely with the Rwandan media fraternity and other stakeholders to build a stronger profession in the country, one that is not only free, but also responsible. Ends