& Igihe.com Team
The Rwanda Association of Independent Press has suspended the Ishema newspaper for six months following its publication of blasphemous article that ridiculed the person of president Paul Kagame and undermining the government.
Gakire fidel the managing director of Ishema newspaper admitted to Igihe.com that his newspaper had published the said article.
He blamed the anomaly on the failure of the Ishema newspaper’s editorial management to assess the articles consequences before being passed for publication.
“I admit the article passed without our team assessing its effects on the image of the nation and reputation of president Paul kagame,” Gakire said adding that he has apologized for the mistake before a panel of the Private Newspapers Association.
Asked on what he intends to do if the matter is taken to court, Gakire responded, “iam ready to represent the newspaper in court and explain why and how the article got published”.
Gakire says that the Forum of Independent press has suspended him from the forum.
Gakire told Igihe.com that he has also confirmed the copies of Ishema Newspaper containing the blasphemous article were this Monday morning impounded from the streets of Kigali, “the newspaper vendors have not returned to our offices to present the circulation report as required every day.
They have also not informed me that the copies of the said newspaper issue were confistictated from them,” He said.
Gakire told Igihe.com that he is not in hiding, “iam not hiding because its not simple to run away from the large eye of security. They can get you if they want. But am not hiding because my phone is on”.
Patrice Mulama of the Media High Council also told Igihe.com that “the media high council has a week to decide, the ishema Newspaper Manager has apologised to the private newspaper association of which he’s a member. They have suspended Ishema Newspaper for 6 months”.
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