Why Journalists should know the law related to sanctions on Genocide ideology?

By The Inspirer Writer.

Rwanda Journalists for Sustainable Development (RJSD) has convened a webinar conference on journalism for development to fight against Genocide ideology and urged journalists to know the law related to sanctions on Genocide ideology.

The conference that gathered different panelists from different institutions took place on Saturday 10th April 2021.

People from different institutions such as MINALOC, Imbuto Foundation, Avega Agahozo, CERULAR, US Embassy in Rwanda, Swedish Embassy in Kigali and Journalists from different media outlets participated to the conference.

Mr. Gerard Ntashamaje from the National Commission for the Fight Against Genocide (CNLG) said that the media must know the law on sanctions on Genocide ideology as it was put in place in 2018, and they should read the history of Genocide to disseminate the accurate information to the public and play their role in fighting against Genocide ideology.

“The media must make deep analysis on the content that they need to disseminate to the public.” He said.

Ntashamaje said that there are sanctions for a person who has Genocide ideology according to the law on sanctions on Genocide ideology. “He/she should be given no less than 5 years and not beyond 7 years for imprisonment and 500, 000 Rwf for a fine.” Quoted the law.

Albert Baudouin Twizeyimana, National Coordinator of PAX PRESS said that some journalists do not make efforts in collecting information on field.

“They must move from offices to the field and avoid reporting stories from international media that are reporting stories about Rwanda, yet journalists should report those stories on field.” Twizeyimana said.

He added that there is a need of having curriculum in schools that illustrate the appropriate words to be used and words that contain Genocide ideology which should be prevented.

“Media literacy is really needed so that the people should be educated on the appropriate way of using media. The media fraternity should have a strong editors’ forum that set clear guidelines that should be followed while collecting and disseminating information during the Commemoration of Genocide.” Twizeyimana added.

However, he said that the media should edit the comments from the audiences to avoid wrong information that can confuse the new generation who was born after Genocide and give them a way to deny Genocide or have Genocide ideology because of the wrong information.

About RJSD

 The RJSD is a non-governmental educational organization that was established to assist young and upcoming journalists to equip professionals in their career. The organization helps young journalists to gain a bit of experience in journalism through pieces of training and workshops for instilling self-confidence and self-reliance.

Through their programs, they provide some assistance and skills needed on market to colleges and high school students to prepare them after their graduation, when seeking jobs.

The organization granted operational status with the Rwandan Law, registered No 843/RGB/NGO/OC/01/2021. It was founded on November 2019. Its team  is composed of different journalists from different media houses registered in Rwanda