International Freedom of Expression Exchange: The global network for free expression
13 November 2001
NEW PRESS LAW RAISES CONCERNS
The legacy of the Rwandan media's role in fueling hatred during the 1994 genocide "should not be used as an excuse to reduce opposition voices to silence," concludes Reporters sans frontières (RSF) in a report released last week. RSF recently returned from a visit to Rwanda in which it examined the country's press freedom conditions.
In particular, the report focuses on the implications of a new press law approved by the Rwandan parliament on 28 September. The law, which must be examined by the Supreme Court before the head of state can apply it, includes the controversial Article 89. The article states that the death penalty would apply to anyone judged guilty of using the media to convince others to commit acts of genocide. According to RSF, "this [article] leaves the door wide open to the arbitrary sentencing of critical journalists or members of the opposition." RSF notes that numerous journalists in Rwanda believe Article 89 does not belong in the press law and should be put in the penal code or in the law on genocide instead [See IFEX "Communiqué #10-28].">http://communique.ifex.org/articles.cfm?system_id=3376">#10-28].
RSF notes that the government frequently invokes the example of Radio-télévision libre des milles collines (RTLM) â which was known to have publicly incited ethnic Hutus to murder ethnic Tutsi's during the 1994 genocide â as a justification for banning private radio and television stations. However, RSF argues that RTLM was an instrument of the regime at the time; today, it no longer plays that role.
RSF also objects to provisions in the law which set out prison sentences for certain press infringements. For example, journalists guilty of "invasion of privacy" would be subjected to jail terms ranging from one month to one year.
As for the general condition of press freedom in the country, RSF says journalists continue to suffer threats and self-censorship is widespread, even among international correspondents. Rwanda does not have a single daily newspaper, and fewer than a dozen independent weeklies and monthlies exist. Radio, the medium most used by the public, is under the control of the government, notes RSF.
In its 2000 World Report (www.hrw.org) , Human Rights Watch mentions that three journalists fled the country last year, saying their lives were at risk because of reports they had published. ">http://www.hrw.org">www.hrw.org) , Human Rights Watch mentions that three journalists fled the country last year, saying their lives were at risk because of reports they had published.
Meanwhile, the International Press Institute's 2000 World Press Freedom Review (www.freemedia.at/wpfr/world.html) notes that the recent trials of four journalists who were alleged to have exhorted Hutus to murder Tutsi's have "raised questions concerning the duty of the media and its power to encourage and spread hatred." ">http://www.freemedia.at/wpfr/world.html">www.freemedia.at/wpfr/world.html) notes that the recent trials of four journalists who were alleged to have exhorted Hutus to murder Tutsi's have "raised questions concerning the duty of the media and its power to encourage and spread hatred."
For more information, see www.rsf.fr.
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