Regulator says Amazing Grace failed to uphold public morality and Rwandan culture and values.
Rwanda has revoked the broadcasting licence of an American-owned Christian radio station for breaching broadcasting regulations.
Two months ago, the Rwanda Utility Regulation Authority (Rura) handed Amazing Grace Christian Radio a one-month suspension for a “hateful” sermon against women, and ordered the management to pay a Rwf2 million ($2,320) fine.
It also directed the station to issue an apology to the public for breaching the regulations and failing to uphold public morality and Rwandan culture and values.
The sermon aired on January 29 was widely condemned, with the National Women's Association and Rwanda Women Journalists' Association filing complaints to the media regulatory body.
According Rura, the station has failed to comply with the directives, leading to the revocation of its licence.
“The revocation follows the failure by the Amazing Grace Christian Radio to comply with Rura’s sanctions taken after a sermon aired by the Radio on January 29, 2018, in which a presenter, Nicolas Niyibikora, repeatedly insulted women, referring to them as evil. This was followed by shows insulting other religious beliefs,” Rura said in a statement on Tuesday.
The regulator said it sent a letter demanding an explanation for the station’s non-compliance, “and the reasons given were found to be unsatisfactory.”
“Consequently, Rura has decided to revoke the licence for providing broadcasting services, and the radio communication licence.”