Nestor Bankumukunzi, chairman of the National Media Regulator-CNC, has said there is a need to promote the new law governing CNC as well as the press law which were promulgated in March and September 2018 respectively.
Nestor Bankumukunzi: “I don’t wish that a journalist or media organization be a victim of ignorance”
“Media professionals were summoned to appear in court and their some news organizations have been closed over the past years due to the ignorance of these laws,” says Bankumukunzi adding that he doesn’t wish that a journalist or a media company be a victim of ignorance.
He also says the CNC is committed to working closely with all the stakeholders involved in the information process. “Journalists often say that administrative officials withhold the information from them. There is therefore the need for a sensitization about the two laws so that the past mistakes should be avoided,” he says.
On 15 November, members of the National Media Regulator-CNC met administrative and justice officials, security forces and media professionals in four areas of the country namely in the capital Bujumbura, Rutana, Gitega and Ngozi Provinces to share views on the new laws. “Participants in this session need to know the content of those two laws so that they should provide information without any problem,” says Bankumukunzi.
Onésime Harubuntu, chairman of the association of radio stations broadcasting from Burundi-ABR says there are now duties and rights for Burundian journalists thanks to the new laws. “Not only they have the right to get information and report it but also they and their equipment are protected. We hope for the best ahead” he says.
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