Rumonge : towards the closure of Izere Fm radio?

For almost a week, Izere Fm, a community radio station broadcasting from the town center of Rumonge province (southwest Burundi), has not broadcast its programs. According to local residents, there are padlocks on all the doors of this radio station. It is facing financial difficulties, according to sources close to the case. Its employees are demanding approximately seven months of salary arrears. The National Communication Council (CNC) indicates that it is aware of the situation. Managers of Izere Fm radio have not yet communicated on this situation. INFO SOS Médias Budundi

Witnesses claim that all staff are staying at home – a situation witnessed by an SOS Médias Burundi reporter.

“No journalist, technician or support staff is showing up for duty,” noted an SOS Médias Burundi reporter who visited the offices of Izere Fm radio. A presenter attached to this radio speaks of a “confused” situation.

Reason for non-operation

Sources at Regideso speak of a power cut by this company responsible for the distribution of water and electricity.

“The bill is approximately ten million Burundi francs. The agents responsible for collection have repeatedly asked the radio services to pay the bill, in vain,” they indicate.

According to an employee of the district of Rumonge, managers of the radio tried to resolve the problem by using a generator.

“With the fuel shortage that the country is going through, they couldn’t cope,” he says.

Unpaid salaries

Since last April, Izere Fm employees have not been paid.

Several departures have been observed. “We couldn’t hold on. We have to feed our families, pay the rent…”, laments a colleague who was forced to leave.

However, the radio had benefited from media support from the CNAP (National Center for Warning and Conflict Prevention). It covers the rental costs and the electricity bill in particular.
A source within the CNAP claims that funds have already been released for at least two months.

“We don’t know what happened,” she says worryingly before emphasizing that the project extends over eighteen months.

The National Council of Communication, the media regulatory body in Burundi, says it is aware of the situation.

“Irregularities were noted during our last monitoring visit. We are also aware of the interruption of broadcasting at this station a few days ago,” acknowledged a CNC official.
He speaks of a probable visit to inquire about the situation.

Izere Fm was officially inaugurated in October 2016. It has more than 70 employees : journalists, technicians, presenters and support staff.

The general crisis that the small East African nation is going through does not spare the media in a country where advertising costs are illusory and foreign partners no longer invest in the development of the local press, already muzzled by the government.

Managers of Izere Fm radio have not yet spoken out on this crisis.