LAW N°22/2009 OF 12/08/2009 ON MEDIA TABLE OF CONTENTS
We, KAGAME Paul,
President of the Republic;
THE PARLIAMENT HAS ADOPTED AND WE SANCTION, PROMULGATE THE FOLLOWING
LAW AND ORDER IT BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL GAZETTE OF THE REPUBLIC OF
RWANDA THE PARLIAMENT:
The Chamber of Deputies, in its session of 28 May 2009;
The Senate, in its session of 30 June 2009;
Pursuant to the Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda of 04 June 2003, as amended to date,
especially in Articles 33, 34, 62, 66, 67, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 95, 108, 121, 200 and 201;
Pursuant to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of 16 December 1966,
especially in Article 19;
Pursuant to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights of 27 June 1981, especially in
Article 9;
Pursuant to the Decree-Law n° 21/77 of 18 August 1977 establishing the Penal Code;
Pursuant to Law nº13/2004 of 17 May 2004 relating to the Code of Criminal Procedure as
modified and complemented to date;
Having reviewed Law n° 18/2002 of 11 May 2002 on the Press;
ADOPTS: TITLE ONE: GENERAL PROVISIONS
Article One: Purpose of this Law
This Law determines the responsibilities, the structure and the functioning of the Media in
Rwanda.
Article 2: Definitions of terms
In this Law, the following terms shall be defined as follows:
1° "Media" : means any process, whether in print, audio-visual, auditory, signs or internet to
disseminate, broadcast and make known to the general public facts, opinions and any other
expression of thought particularly in order to inform, educate and train, promote leisure and
entertainment;