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 press law dating from 14 September 2018. “Not only they have the right to get information and report it but also they and their equipment are protected.” He said that during the celebration of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists on November 2.
Journalists deplore withholding of the information
He says the National Media Regulator-CNC now intervenes in case journalists are persecuted. “There are some improvements compared to the past years,” he says. Mr. Harubuntu deplores the fact that some administrative officials withhold the information from the police. “They should understand that we work for the interest of the population,” he says.
Frédéric Nahimana, Minister of Communication and Media says there is no journalist who is persecuted in connection with their work. “The withholding of information is often reported,” he says adding that the matter has been discussed in the recent meeting held last week between media professionals and the ministry.
Minister Nahimana adds that there is no specific law protecting journalists. “They are protected like other Burundians,” he says.
According to Reporters without Borders, 62 journalists throughout the world were killed in connection with their journalist work while 168 others were imprisoned since January 2018.
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