Over 1,500 residents of Gasabo district have signed an affidavit to petition against Ishema Newspaper following its controversial story which the media fraternal umbrella termed as “blasphemous article that ridiculed the person of President and undermining the government.”
Speaking to igihe.com on behalf of the residents, Ancilla Mukarubuga (pictured above) a Peace Activist from Gasabo district noted, “Rwandan government respects the press freedom and independence and other fundamental rights but the media practitioners are under the obligation to enjoy the freedom within the confines of the law.
“Journalists must always review their stories before publishing and misleading the public and taking us back into the worst history,” She pointed out.
In a 3 page press release issued in Kinyarwanda on August 22 and signed by Ancilla Mukarubuga states,“It’s a pity that a journalist can decide to openly abuse and humiliate the President in with such an inhumane photo comparison.
“This press release accompanied by an affidavit signed by 1,500 aggrieved Gasabo District residents seriously protest against the author and the ISHEMA newspaper and any other media with similar malicious motives against the person of the president for whom the Rwandan population voted overwhelmingly” the release reads in part.
The residents underscored that such an act insults and undermines the person of President, against the constitution and the laws governing media.
igihe.com was availed the press release attached with copy of the document bearing all signatures.
“We are also against its article published in ISHEMA Issue No.25 which was called ‘Special Pardon’ that was confusing the public by its leader Fidele Gakire,” they added.
They also said, “We therefore request all media houses and Media High Council itself to take serious punitive measures against the culprits who were knowingly the publication of malicious article.”
The residents also urged other citizens and other peace loving residents to shun the publication and any other unethical publications that negate the socio-economic achievement the country has attained under the leadership of the president and his team.
The letter was copied to the MHC, the political parties, schools and to the international community.
Gakire fidel the managing director of Ishema newspaper admitted to Igihe.com, “We never requested for the advice from anyone when publishing the “Special Pardon issue and all this should be a gone story. To me their petition is negligible and such people should stop confusing media.”
In its conclusion the release requests the media fraternity and competent public institutions including the public prosecutions to administer punitive measures against ISHEMA publications based on the rules and regulations governing the media.
When contacted Media High Council Executive Secretary Patrice Mulama said he had not yet read the petitioning letter though it was already submitted to the MHC offices. He promised to give his comment after reading the petition.
According to Gasabo District Mayor, Willy Ndizeye, “Iam aware of the petition and its the right of citizens to present their views on any issue.”
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