Saturday, May 23, 2009

Rwanda: No agreement on BBC return

By RNA Reporter
May 21, 2009

Kigali: BBC executives were in Kigali Thursday to discuss how the controversial Kinyarwanda programmes can be restored, but there was no agreement on when the signal will return on air.
Leading the BBC delegation was Mr. Jerry Timmins, the head of BBC World Service's Africa and Middle East Region. They met Information Minister Louise Mushikiwabo and Forign Affair counterpart Rosemary Museminali.

Ms. Mushikiwabo told reporters that discussions will continue to workout which aspects of the Gahuzamiryango programme will be reviewed.

There has not been any agreement on the time-frame for BBC to be back on air, she said, adding that government would like to work have international broadcasters on its territory but the programmes have to “benefit” the society.

The original agreement between government and the BBC when launching the Kinyarwanda service clearly stipulated that it would not carry programmes that disturb the harmony among Rwandan, she said.

Mr. Timmins said the BBC would look at which areas of the programme can be reviewed.
Last Updated ( Friday, 22 May 2009 )

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