afrol News, 27 April - The Rwandan government has banned the BBC Kinyarwanda programming for allegedly being bias and airing programmes that are devastating the country's efforts for reconstruction and reconciliation.

Information Minister Louise Mushikiwabo has accused the BBC of using Rwandan journalists living abroad to undermine the progress the country has made, saying the government has in many ways warned the broadcaster.

The minister said the suspension of the broadcaster is temporary but said that entirely depends on the BBC Great Lakes service if it is ready and willing to mend its ways in reporting the genocide.

Ms Mushikiwabo said programming of the station and recent interviews aired in the station were seemingly influencing retaliation and rebellion.

However, defending its position, the BBC said the minister was invited to the programme to which she declined.

Local reports said the interview that led to the suspension of the BBC included the views of the controversial former PM Faustin Twagiramungu who has reportedly vowed to never beg for forgiveness from the Tutsis.

The reports further said other exiled politicians also made comments suggesting that though Tutsis were killed, Hutus also died in much more bigger numbers, than is commonly believed.

A government ban remains standing against officials giving any interviews to the Kinyarwanda programme, as well as a similar one on VOA, local media has reported.

The BBC signal went off five minutes prior to the first broadcast at 07hrs00 when the regular one-hour Saturday Imvon’imvano programme was to start. However, the normal BBC programming returned after 08hrs00. It again went off as the re-broadcast was to start at 10hrs00.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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