his paper argues that while hate media clearly contributed to the dynamics that led to genocide, its role should not be overstated. Contrary to the belief that hate media was a major cause of the genocide, it was a part of a larger social process. The use of violent discourse was at least as important as, for example, the availability of weapons in carrying out the genocide. In other words, violent discourse was necessary but not sufficient by itself to cause the genocide of 1994.
It is argued here that extremists within the Rwandan government manipulated social organizations such as schools, influenced informal communication including rumors and lies, and controlled mass media. While this paper focuses on the process of communication in relation to the years prior to the Rwandan genocide of 1994, it does not intend to dismiss or discount other causal explanations which include democratization, economic and ecological circumstances, the peace negotiations and conflict, and most importantly the manipulation of the common people by powerful elites.
Following this introduction, Rwandan history is traced in the second section to demonstrate the processes of communication in the formation of destructive attitudes and behaviour. In the third section, analysis of the methods and content of propaganda campaigns is discussed. Finally, an overview of the requirements and organizations for third parties to conduct communication interventions is presented in the last section.