I refer to Mr. Lincoln Lewis’ letter of October 22, 2011 in the Kaieteur News.
I want to state categorically that in 1994, the private media in Rwanda played a pivotal role in enhancing the trajectory of the genocide perpetrated on the Tutsis and moderate Hutus.
Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan had this to say: “Media were used in Rwanda to spread hatred, to dehumanise people, and even to guide the genocidaires toward their victims. Three journalists have even been found guilty of genocide, incitement to genocide, conspiracy and crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.”
Professor Allan Thompson of Carleton University in his book The Media and the Rwanda genocide, “…hate media organs in Rwanda – through their journalists, broadcasters and media executives – played an instrumental role in laying the groundwork for genocide, then actively participated in the extermination campaign.” Whatever were the causes of the genocide, and they certainly were not primordial, the media laid the foundation for the genocide and, therefore were critical strategic partners in the perpetration of the mass killings; and in this context, the media violated the sanctity of its fourth estate role. Indeed, the media was not the only hate organ, as one variable rarely explains behaviour; there were other hate organs.
And this Guyanese nation should know of the media’s role in the Rwanda genocide, and the need for the Guyanese people to be vigilant of media activities in this country; given the numerous documented examples of relative incitement by parts of the Guyana private media. Here is a mere sample of media statements: “Government is trying to run the country by executing Blacks.”  “…claims that the Government has Indo-Guyanese make-up and is totally mistaken by trying to run the country by executing Blacks.”  “Killing of Sgt. Harry Kooseram is racially motivated. It’s one for one. It’s hit back time…”  “There is a planned invasion of Buxton Village.”

And then there were Dwight Whylie and Harry Mayers who authored GECOM’s first Independent Media Monitoring and Refereeing Panel’s final report titled A CASE OF DANGEROUS EXTREMES, which also provided evidence of dangerous mischief.

Perusing the chronicles of the Rwanda genocide provides a sense of the far-reaching impact of the mass media; and any media should have substantial impact on its society; nonetheless, in this case, the fourth estate abused its freedom and power.
Previously, I noted that there has to be a link between freedom of the press and democracy; nonetheless, the right to freedom brings responsibilities; and in Guyana, the media’s effecting of its obligations is hardly a reality. Therefore, it is not unexpected to see Guyana’s fourth estate owners, when asked to explain their unethical actions, seek shelter under the Declaration of Chapultepec. This Declaration speaks about freedom of the press and freedom of expression; but the ninth principle notes that “The credibility of the press is linked to its commitment to truth, to the pursuit of accuracy, fairness and objectivity and to the clear distinction between news and advertising…”
I want to say in no uncertain terms that, indeed, it is quite pertinent to bring to the Guyanese public’s attention the media’s critical role in the Rwanda genocide or in Hitler’s Germany, or wherever media excesses are alive. One of the fundamental tenets of democracy is education of the populace to become better informed; and, therefore, informing the nation about the media’s role in the Rwanda genocide, and some may very well already know of it, becomes a conduit for the masses to understand and evaluate how the mass media function globally. And then, where comparisons are appropriate, to applaud or critique the Guyana mass media, with the view toward raising the bar on their standards.
The Guyana mass media’s modus operandi may strike a chord with former President Zelaya of Honduras who referred to his country’s media owners as: “powerful economic groups motivated by self-interest to exploit political and social problems to provide grist for their mills.” And what is even more telling is that parts of the private media are part of the new opposition; all the more reason to enable the nation to become better informed and simultaneously to be heedful of the mass media’s role in Guyana. And the Guyana mass media can raise their standards through learning about the Rwanda genocide.