Rwanda media guide
- Published
The media in Rwanda self censor to avoid offending the government, which does not tolerate criticism or dissent.
The civil liberty NGO Freedom House says while President Kagame has presided over impressive political stability and economic growth since the end of the genocide in 1994, his government has also "suppressed political dissent though pervasive surveillance, intimidation, torture and renditions or suspected assassinations of exiled dissidents".
Radio is the most popular medium, followed by TV. Radio is also the most trusted source of information, while public trust in online and social media remains low.
The government has increasingly blocked access to news websites based abroad, says Freedom House. It says this is partly because many journalists have fled the country and now work in exile and online.
Rwanda no longer has any printed newspapers. The last hard-copy paper was The New Times, which ceased its print edition in early 2020.
BBC Great Lakes is now only available on its website and Facebook. However, BBC English, French and Swahili services can still be heard on FM in Rwanda.
There were 5.9 million internet users by December 2021, comprising 45% of the population (Internetworldstats.com).
Internet usage is growing significantly. According to the Rwanda Utility Regulatory Agency (RURA), 9.3 million SIM cards were connected to the internet by September 2023.
Facebook is the most popular social media platform, with a 40% market share.
Online
The New Times, external - the leading news website in Rwanda. Although it describes itself as private and independent, it adopts a strong pro-government stance
Igihe, external - privately-owned but takes a pro-government stance and avoids offending the authorities
Kigali Today, external - affiliated to the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF). However, its coverage focuses on national developments, rather than RDF operations
Rwanda Today, external - publishes exclusively in English. It is part of the Nation Media Group, a Kenya-based media conglomerate
Umuseke, external - a popular, privately-owned site that was established in 2010
Television
Rwanda TV, external - operated by state-owned Rwanda Broadcasting Agency
TV One, external - launched in February 2014 and describes itself as the most popular private station in Rwanda
Tele10, external - Rwanda's first privately-owned TV station and a sister station of the popular Radio 10
Kigali Channel 2, external (KC 2) is state-owned and controlled by RBA
Radio
Radio Rwanda , external- state-owned, broadcasts in English, French, Kinyarwanda and Swahili
Radio 10 - private
Flash FM - private
Contact FM - private
City Radio - private
Radio Izuba - private
Radio Maria, external - Catholic
News agency
Rwanda News Agency (RNA), external - government-owned and publishes in English and French, like state-owned Radio Rwanda and Rwanda TV, RNA reports extensively on government activities