This Assessment on the Status of Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Rwanda was conducted by the Legal Aid Forum (LAF), with financial support from the European Union (EU) in 2021. It aims at assessing the status of Freedom of Expression and Access to information in Rwanda, following reforms by the Government of Rwanda in the media and information sector to promote freedom of expression and access to information.

Specific objectives of this assessment were: i) to analyze the legal and institutional framework underpinning the media’s freedom of expression and access to information; ii) to analyse the extent to which freedom of expression and related laws are respected and complied with in Rwanda; iii) Assess the progress and challenges related to freedom of expression and access to information in Rwanda, among others.

This study relies on analysis of quantitative data obtained from legal documentation related to (FoE) and (ATI) at the international, regional and national levels, face-to-face interviews, FGDs and KIIs that mainly sampled experts in the media fraternity, policymakers, private and CSOs in the legal domain.

Findings from this assessment highlight a number of strengths, opportunities, weaknesses, challenges and threats related to the implementation of freedom of expression and access to information in Rwanda........