Press cards : the CNC’s long silence worries journalists

SOS Médias Burundi

Bujumbura, November 12, 2025 – For over a year, the issuance of press cards in Burundi seems to have slowed considerably. Many journalists, whether new to the profession or awaiting renewal, say they have not received their cards, despite submitting complete applications months ago.

“I’ve just spent a year waiting for my press card to be delivered, but in vain. Yet, my application is complete,” testifies a journalist encountered in Bujumbura, the commercial capital.

This situation creates a real headache for media professionals. The press card, issued by the National Communication Council (CNC), is often required to access certain official events or press conferences.

“You’ll notice that invitations to cover certain events require you to wear the press card issued by the CNC,” laments another journalist.

A silence that raises questions

While media professionals continue to demand explanations, the CNC remains silent. According to several accounts gathered, the answers given to those inquiring vary from one person to another.
The most frequent answer remains :

“You have to wait, we are currently speaking with the supplier,”
often given without specifying the real reasons for the delay.

A matter of contract?

Sources close to the matter suggest tensions between the CNC (National Communication Council) and the supplier responsible for producing the cards. The supplier reportedly failed to comply with the terms of its contract with the institution following disagreements. This conflict could explain the accumulated delays.

However, no official statement has been released to confirm or deny this hypothesis.

Each journalist must pay 15,000 Burundi francs to get this professional card. A cost which, according to several industry stakeholders, should be accompanied by a guarantee of efficient and transparent service.

A call for transparency

Faced with this prolonged situation, journalists are expressing a feeling of powerlessness and are asking the National Communication Council (CNC) to clarify the reasons for this non-issuance. The lack of communication is fueling speculation and, according to them, undermining the institution’s credibility.

As long as the problem remains unresolved, many professionals will remain in limbo, forced to work without one of the essential documents for practicing their profession.