Burundi : the CNC calls on authorities to better collaborate with journalists for better development of the country

The National Communication Council (CNC) promises to dialogue with the country’s authorities to encourage them to talk to journalists. The president of the CNC indicated that based on lamentations of media professionals, this body aims to put an end to disagreements that often arise between the two groups. She said this on Thursday. INFO SOS Médias Burundi

During the presentation of the 2023-2024 annual report on Thursday, the president of the CNC recalled that there are journalists who do not do the job professionally, hence the reluctance of some authorities to open up to the media.

“You know, there are people who are afraid to express themselves because they do not really know how the information will be treated. Sometimes, journalists distort the information given to them,” accused Espérance Ndayizeye.

However, the president of the Burundian regulatory body reassured the media that meetings are planned with different authorities at the grassroots level to explain to them “the merits of sharing information useful for the development of the country”.

“We must discuss so that everyone understands their role. It is especially with those responsible for the media in the interior (provinces other than the commercial capital Bujumbura) of the country because they are often victims of this disagreement,” she added.

The CNC president is confident that this framework for dialogue will bring about change in the practice of journalism in Burundi. She thanks journalists for their remarkable professionalism and calls on them to focus on subjects of public interest.

Recently, several local media correspondents have been harassed, beaten up and detained by police or administration officials, their equipment seized or confiscated without valid reason.

In most provinces, access to sources of information is conditional upon prior authorization from local authorities.

Often lumped together with “the country’s enemies”, Burundian journalists, even those from the government press in certain situations, are often subject to verbal threats.