Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) has issued a “final warning” to more than 30 local YouTube channels it accuses of disseminating content related to prostitution and pornography.
In an interview, Thierry Murangira, the spokesperson for RIB, publicly named the YouTube channels in question, explicitly instructing them to remove the objectionable content or else they face legal consequences.
“Consider this your last opportunity to rectify this issue. There is an abundance of wholesome content available for you to share, content that does not promote prostitution and pornography. We urge you to promptly delete such content from your channels and make substantial changes to the type of content you share moving forward,” he emphasized.
Among the channels listed are Uburyohe TV, Rwanda Eye News TV, Isiri TV, Gift TV, Ghetto 250, Amabanga Yurugo TV, Love 250, Bibaho TV, Lucky Rehema TV, Amahumbezi TV, Home Town TV, Agasobanuye TV, Humble TV, Kigali Love Zone TV, Drop Out 250 TV, Star Max TV, and several others.
“As RIB, one of our core missions is education. Those who choose to ignore our warnings will face the consequences. We believe those who are receptive have understood the gravity of this situation,” Murangira asserted.
He attributed such content to the corrupting influence it has on young individuals, highlighting the alarming absence of safeguards by the channel owners to prevent minors from accessing their material.
Murangira also issued a stern warning to those who exploit children in sexually explicit content distributed on YouTube and social media, citing the arrest of four YouTubers in July for engaging in such activities.
Under the 2018 law pertaining to the protection of children, anyone found recording pornographic images or audio of a child through any means commits a serious offense.
Article 35 of the law stipulates, “Upon conviction, the offender is subject to imprisonment for a period of not less than five years and not more than seven years, accompanied by a fine ranging from Rwf7 million to Rwf10 million.”
Furthermore, the law unequivocally prohibits the display, sale, rental, or dissemination of pornographic material involving children, which encompasses images, objects, movies, photos, slides, and any other form of content.
Any individual convicted of such offenses faces imprisonment for a duration of five to seven years and a fine ranging from Rwf15 million to Rwf20 million.