The The Role of Media in Crimes Against Humanity: A Comparative Analysis of Rwanda and Ukraine
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37241/jatss.2025.129Keywords:
media, crimes against humanity, hate speech, propaganda, peace journalism, digital verificationAbstract
Introduction: This study explores the dual role of media in crimes against humanity. Media may at times amplify hate and incite violence (as in Rwanda), while at other times it may expose truth and contribute to the pursuit of justice and accountability (as in Ukraine). Understanding this dual capacity is essential for developing legal and ethical safeguards in the digital age.
Method: Using a qualitative methodology, the study conducts a comparative analysis of the Rwandan genocide and the war in Ukraine. Based on court judgments, print and visual media sources, and NGO reports, it analyzes how media functioned either to fuel violence or support accountability.
Findings: In Rwanda, RTLM radio played a central role in spreading hate speech and orchestrating mass violence. In Ukraine, open-source investigations and citizen journalism have aided in documenting war crimes and verifying them through digital tools. The contrasting roles illustrate that media’s impact depends heavily on its ownership, values, and the political environment in which it operates.
Discussion or Conclusion: The role of media in crimes against humanity is shaped not by the medium itself but by how and by whom it is used. These findings call for stronger international standards to regulate incitement and promote responsible media. Media literacy, press freedom, and digital evidence protocols play a critical role in preventing future atrocities.
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