The Rwanda Media Commission (RMC) believes that the BBC documentary, ‘Rwanda’s Untold Story’ violated both media ethics and media principles and has called for the prosecution of those involved with the documentary.  

The RMC chairperson, Fred Muvunyi, made the revelation while appearing before the independent commission of inquiry investigating accusations of genocide denial and revisionism against the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

The Commission, led by the former Prosecutor-General Martin Ngoga, begun hearing testimonies from witnesses this morning at Telecom House, Kacyiru in Kigali.

The commission of inquiry was set up by the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (Rura) to investigate accusations of Genocide denial and revisionism against the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

Last month, Rura suspended BBC Gahuza, the Kinyarwanda service, following complaints from individuals and organisations in the wake of a controversial documentary titled, Rwanda’s Untold Story, aired on BBC2 channel on October 1.

Muvunyi, who was accompanied by other RMC officials, told the Commission that legal action should to be taken against the BBC and especially the documentary’s producer, Jane Corbin, for denying the Genocide and inciting hatred.

However, Muvunyi noted that RMC still stands by its position on the issue of suspending BBC Gahuzamiryango.

"Our position on the documentary is different from our position on the suspension of the BBC Gahuzamiryango transmissions," he said.

Although RMC condemned the content of the documentary, the body argued that the suspension of the transmission wasn't the right decision to make.

The Rwanda Utility Regulatory Authority and Rwanda Governance Board insisted that the decision to suspend the transmission followed public requests and the belief that the BBC violated its agreements with Rwanda.