Rwanda's Paul Kagame labels western media 'dictatorial'By ZEPHANIA UBWANI in Kigali | Friday, August 10  2012 at  09:14

Rwanda President Paul Kagame has rounded on the western media for what he said was the imposition of their views on the continent.

President Kagame Thursday said that foreign media houses were being dictatorial and coercing African media, including that of his country, to toe their line of thinking.

"They are imposing their views on us and want everybody to believe what they are reporting is always correct," he said in apparent reference to the strong criticism of his country over its alleged support of rebels strife-torn eastern DR Congo.

Mr Kagame said that while he respected the freedom of the Press, he does not accept blanket criticism and negative reporting on Africa "by those who want to impose ideas on what people should believe".

He was speaking while opening the fifth East African Community Media Summit at the Kigali Serena Hotel.

The Rwandan leader said the media can play a key role in accelerating the pace of integration in East Africa such as the swift implementation of the Common Market and Customs Union protocols but he was worried by an increase in the misinterpretation of facts by some sections of the regional media, acting on the behest of the foreign press.

"It is unfortunate our (east African) media has remained silent on views imposed on us from outside," he told journalists, publishers, EAC officials and business leaders.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton this week urged Rwanda to help disarm and cut off support for the rebels known as M23 who have battled government troops in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo since May.

Rwanda stridently denies supporting the rebels and has dismissed a leaked UN Group of Experts report as fabricated.