Burundi : the French language suffers in the media, according to a local association

The Association of French-speaking Journalists deplores the existence of many mistakes in French in the media. During a press conference held on December 10 in the commercial city of Bujumbura, Léon Masengo, legal representative of AFJ-Burundi, Friends of French, indicated that this state of affairs jeopardizes the credibility of information given in this language.

INFO SOS Médias Burundi

We want to help so that what is well conceived in the language of Molière is clearly stated/written and that the words to say/write it come easily in the media, such is the slogan of AJF-Burundi.

During this press conference, the legal representative of this association indicated that nowadays, trust between journalists and their sources or even with the public, is put to the test. This, as Masengo explains, is because this language of cooperation and education used at more than 85% to communicate with development partners no longer has its flavor.

“French is suffering in the media and in many other sectors. Some media have already suspended French programs because they cannot find people capable of producing in French”, lamented Léon Masengo, long-time news presenter and host of French-language programs on the independent radio Bonesha FM.

And some media managers also confirm this.

“The journalists we are currently hiring have a low level of French. And this is a major challenge because even at the time of recruitment, we find ourselves faced with a generation that is pitiful”, reveals one of the directors of a radio station who spoke on this subject.

The public says that they are no longer interested in following radio broadcasts because they no longer capture their attention. Contacted in turn, veterans of the profession do not hide the shame they feel in the face of this situation which is degenerating, according to them.

AJF-Burundi, Friends of French announces that it is looking for solutions to remedy this but it has work to do.

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In the middle, Léon Masengo, then director of Bonesha FM with some of the radio employees, February 26, 2021 in Bujumbura (SOS Médias Burundi)